by Hartley Charlton
Apple chip supplier TSMC is on track to deliver 2nm chip technology next year, BusinessKorea reports.
Apple is expected to move its custom silicon to the 2nm process next year to leverage TSMC's advancements. TSMC is said to be confidently progressing with the 2nm node. The chipmaker's Vice President of Process Development, Zhang Xiaogang, announced that "the development of the 2nm process is progressing smoothly" and mass production is on track for 2025.
Some rumors suggested that TSMC may be forced to delay full-scale mass production of its 2nm process until 2026 due to technical challenges associated with the first-time application of Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology. These rumors were dispelled by Zhang, who confirmed that "the yield when applying GAA has reached 90 percent of the target," indicating substantial progress. Jeff Williams, Apple's Chief Operating Officer, recently made a discreet visit to Taiwan to meet with TSMC President Wei Zhejia and secure supply of 2nm chips.
The iPhone 15 Pro is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which is manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process. This process allows for more transistors to be packed into a smaller space, delivering improvements in performance and efficiency. Apple's M4 chip, which just debuted in the new iPad Pro, uses an enhanced version of this 3nm technology. The transition to 2nm chips should bring further improvements, with projected performance gains of 10 to 15 percent and power consumption reductions of up to 30 percent compared to the 3nm process.
TSMC remains the only company capable of manufacturing 2nm and 3nm chips at the scale and quality Apple requires. For its 3nm chips, Apple booked all of TSMC's available chipmaking capacity, and the chipmaker plans to triple its production capacity for the node by the end of the year to meet soaring demand. 2nm chips could first appear in 2025's iPhone 17 lineup.
Tags: Apple Silicon Guide, TSMC
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Top Rated Comments
Saturn007
4 days ago at 05:55 am
TSMC remains the only company capable of manufacturing 2nm and 3nm chips at the scale and quality Apple requires. For its 3nm chips, Apple booked all of TSMC's available chipmaking capacity
Anti-trust division of DOJ or EU trade board to get involved soon…
I am just here to see the old folks go crazy ? ? about how they hope they can disable the neural engine for AI. LOL!
Let's fix that, shall we?!
”I am just here to see the *smart* folks wisely figure out how they can disable the neural engine for AI.”
Some of us prefer not emulate ostriches! ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jb310
4 days ago at 05:45 am
2nm chips? Scrolling through social media is going to be extremely snappy in 2025. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
asiga
4 days ago at 05:18 am
If "debut" means that it will be available to buy in Macs before the end of 2025, then I'd find it very weird that no new M4 Macs are released this summer.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl
4 days ago at 06:49 am
It looks like we are going back to one year cycle for the higher volume devices and two year cycle for lower volume (ex. desktop computers). The M4 will be the start of this. It is interesting that the iPad led the way with the M4 but that could be due to the chip volume that was available this summer.So we are looking at M4 for Macbook Pro this fall followed by Macbook Air and Mini next spring. Then the Studio and Mac Pro at WWDC next summer (much to the chagrin of those looking for these). The Ultras systems will always have a 1 year delay due to the more complex chip design. Then rinse and repeat next fall for the M5, with the Desktops skipping the M5.
The only real “pattern” we’ve seen so far in Mac silicon is no pattern. I wouldn’t bet on the timing of anything.
For example, based on Apples love of “another record quarter…” above seemingly all else, I buy the guess that M4 Ultra will hit next… and sooner than Fall. Those Macs may not sell on volume but they have highest profit per unit sold, yet only really appeal on the apparent schedule for up to about 5 months, when Mnext MAX hits. But we’ll see.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser
4 days ago at 05:16 am
and some users thought TSMC will be stuck for 5 years on 5nm
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chouseworth
4 days ago at 08:58 am
"TSMC remains the only company capable of manufacturing 2nm and 3nm chips at the scale and quality Apple requires."
In the meantime, it's not a question of if China will invade Taiwan, but when. This weighs heavily on Apple but as well as several other customers, including the AI world's current darling, Nvidia.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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