A new front‑side die photograph of Apple’s upcoming A20 Pro processor has surfaced on the Chinese social platform Weibo, posted by a user identified as 白饭炒白米饭. The image offers the first floor‑plan‑level view of the chip that is expected to power the iPhone 18 Pro series and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, both slated for launch on September 9.
Core layout and cache architecture
The annotated die shot labels a seven‑core GPU cluster, which would represent the largest graphics processor Apple has placed in a smartphone SoC to date. The previous generation, the A19 Pro, featured a six‑core GPU. In addition to the expanded GPU, the CPU configuration remains a six‑core design, comprising four efficiency cores and two performance cores, matching the core count of the prior chip.
Three distinct L2 cache blocks are visible in the layout. One block is shared by the GPU cluster, while the remaining two serve the efficiency and performance CPU clusters separately. The efficiency cores are shown to share an 8 MB L2 cache, an increase of 2 MB compared with the A19 Pro. The performance cores retain a 16 MB L2 cache, unchanged from the earlier generation.
Packaging changes and memory interface
The floor plan aligns with earlier reports that Apple is shifting the packaging approach for this generation. Instead of stacking memory dies on top of the SoC, the memory chips are placed beside the processor. The memory interface has been widened to 96 bits, yet Apple continues to use LPDDR5X memory rather than moving to LPDDR6.
The die image does not display clearly labeled neural‑processing (NPU) or image‑signal‑processor (ISP) blocks, leaving their size and exact placement uncertain. Analysts speculate that the NPU could be enlarged—potentially doubling in size—as seen with Apple’s M6 chip, which might explain the observed shift in CPU placement relative to earlier designs.
Reliability of the leak and upcoming devices
As with any pre‑launch die photograph, the source is unverified and likely originates from engineering samples or internal documentation rather than final retail silicon. Apple is known to adjust floor plans before mass production, so specifications could evolve before the chips reach consumers.
Nevertheless, if the seven‑core GPU count is accurate, the A20 Pro would give Apple a more competitive graphics capability against Android rivals that have been increasing GPU core counts aggressively. The larger efficiency‑core L2 cache and the unchanged performance‑core cache suggest a focus on balancing power efficiency with raw performance.
The A20 Pro is expected to debut in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and in Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, both scheduled for a September 9 announcement. The leaked die shot provides the most concrete glimpse yet of the internal architecture that will underpin those devices.
Norman Pearlstine is the Executive Editor and Co-Founder at News Raise. With over two decades of experience across financial journalism, corporate governance, and market analysis, Norman leads the editorial direction and ensures strict adherence to journalistic accuracy and ethics.
