A Chinese leaker with a track record of accurate predictions has shared images of alleged circuit diagrams for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. The images, posted on Weibo by the account Fried White Rice, do not show the A20 Pro chip itself but rather the layout of its connection to the underlying circuit board. From these details, the analyst draws interesting conclusions about potential performance and architectural improvements.
Six CPU cores with increased cache for efficiency cores
According to the interpretation of the diagrams, the A20 Pro chip would maintain the same six-core configuration as the previous generation, with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. However, the L2 cache for the efficiency cores would be increased from 6 MB to 8 MB, while the cache for the main cores remains unchanged at 16 MB. This cache increase could lead to faster data access for less demanding tasks, improving the overall energy efficiency of the device.
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Seven GPU cores emerge as the most likely configuration
The trickiest part concerns the number of graphics cores. From the outlines and solder ball positions, the author explored dozens of possible configurations with 6, 7, or 8 GPU cores. After in-depth analysis, the layout that appears most plausible is one with seven GPU cores, an increase over the six cores in the current A19 Pro. If confirmed, this would bring a significant boost to graphics performance, beneficial for advanced gaming and augmented reality applications.
Faster RAM and performance gains
The same images also suggest a faster memory interface for RAM, which could result in higher bandwidth and a smoother system during multitasking. Previously, the site Fixed Focus Digital had speculated that the A20 Pro chip could be 18% faster than its predecessor, with a 30% improvement in energy efficiency. If these estimates prove correct, the iPhone 18 Pro would offer a notable performance leap while maintaining competitive battery life.
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Leaker credibility and margin of uncertainty
The Weibo account in question has some reputation for correctly anticipating specifications in the past, but this kind of indirect inference is a complex practice prone to errors. The conclusions drawn from the solder diagrams are plausible, but they should not be viewed as more than informed guesses. Apple has not yet made official statements, and definitive details will only come with the device presentation. In the meantime, enthusiasts can speculate and compare the hypotheses with industry trends, such as the evolution of mobile gaming, which we see in titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Switch 2 and the hardware compatibility challenges seen in Call of Duty Warzone on older consoles. For a comparison with other software update initiatives, one can look at Samsung's One UI 9 beta.
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Pending official confirmation from Cupertino, which could arrive with the presentation scheduled for September 2026, industry experts advise treating these rumors with due caution. The history of tech rumors teaches that only field tests can validate final specifications. According to reports from Wikipedia, Apple chips have always followed a path of incremental improvement, and the A20 Pro should be no exception, but actual details may differ from these projections.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/03/leaker-claims-iphone-18-pro-chip-will-have-7-gpu-cores-and-faster-ram
