Apple’s iPhone 18 launch sparked a new online debate over claims that its A20 Pro chip is “made in Israel.” While Apple has a major engineering presence in Jewish nation, the claim overlooks the difference between where a chip is developed and where it is manufactured.
Several social media posts are claiming that Apple’s latest iPhone is powered by an “Israeli-made” chip. The claim has gained attention because Apple has a long-standing engineering presence in Israel.
Apple has had a significant engineering presence in Israel for years. Its teams there have worked on a range of technologies, including wireless connectivity, cameras, sensors, storage, and silicon-related development. Apple has also expanded its Israeli operations through acquisitions.
One example is Anobit, a company whose technology focused on flash memory and storage controllers. Apple also acquired PrimeSense, an Israeli company known for its work in 3D sensing technology. The company’s connection to Israel also grew after Apple acquired Intel’s smartphone modem business in 2019. Some of the engineers involved were based in Israel and became part of Apple’s wider efforts to develop its own modem technology.
So, yes, Israeli engineers have played a genuine role in Apple’s technology development. But that is very different from saying that Apple’s new processor is manufactured in Israel.
The most important distinction here is between design and manufacturing. Apple designs its own A-series processors, using engineering teams spread across different parts of the world. The physical manufacturing of the A20 Pro is handled by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, better known as TSMC.
The processor is produced using TSMC’s advanced 2nm manufacturing technology. That means calling the A20 Pro an “Israeli-made chip” gives a misleading impression.
Modern smartphone processors are built through global supply chains. A chip can involve engineers from several countries, use technology developed in different locations and still be physically manufactured somewhere else. In this case, Israel’s connection is primarily about engineering and technology development—not the fabrication of the finished A20 Pro processor.
That does not mean Israel is irrelevant to Apple’s hardware. Far from it as Apple’s Israeli teams have been involved in technologies that are important to the company’s products. Connectivity, imaging, sensors, storage and other hardware technologies have all been part of Apple’s engineering work in the country.
Apple’s hardware leadership also has a strong Israeli connection. Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior hardware executive and head of its silicon efforts, was born in Haifa. He has played a major role in the development of Apple’s custom processors and has long been associated with the company’s Israeli engineering operations.
That background helped make Apple’s presence in Israel particularly notable within the country’s technology industry.
The modem is another part of the story that can easily cause confusion. Apple has been trying to reduce its reliance on Qualcomm by developing more of its own cellular technology. The company’s C-series modem platform is part of that effort, and the C2 represents another generation of Apple’s modem technology.
Because Apple has engineers in Israel working on wireless and connectivity technologies, it is reasonable to say that Israeli engineering expertise is part of the broader story. But there is still no basis for saying that Apple has moved production of its iPhone chips to Israel.
What’s inside the iPhone 18?
Apple has introduced a major new generation of iPhones, including the company’s first foldable model, the iPhone Duo, as well as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The new devices are built around Apple’s A20 Pro chip. The processor uses a 2-nanometer manufacturing process, a major step forward for smartphone chips.
Apple says the new chip is designed to improve performance while using less power. It is also aimed at handling more demanding artificial intelligence tasks directly on the device, along with better graphics performance.
To help keep the hardware cool, Apple has added a vapor-chamber cooling system. The new C2 modem is another important part of the lineup as Apple continues working toward greater control over its cellular technology.
Pro models are getting more expensive
Apple is also pushing the iPhone further into premium territory. iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299.
For customers wanting more storage, the prices rise quickly. The 512GB versions cost $1,399 and $1,499, while the 1TB models are priced at $1,799 and $1,899. At the top of the range, the 2TB iPhone 18 Pro costs $2,399 and the Pro Max reaches $2,499.
The confusion seems to come from combining several real facts and turning them into one much bigger claim. Apple does have a major engineering presence in Israel. Israeli engineers do work on technologies connected to Apple hardware.
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