Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company began cranking out chips using its new 3nm process Thursday at its Tainan plant. But, never one to rest on its laurels, TSMC is already laying the groundwork for 2nm processors.
Apple is expected to be among the first companies to benefit from the cutting-edge chips, which will be faster while requiring less power.
TSMC already planning 2nm Apple chips
The Apple name is on the A-series and M-series processors, and they are designed in Cupertino, but they are produced by TSMC using technology the chipmaker developed. And the Taiwanese company has been able to shrink the components of Apple’s chips every year or two, allowing them to work faster while generating less waste heat.
The current iPhone 14 Pro models include the Apple A16 made with a 4nm process. Apple’s next handset is expected to have a chip produced with a 3nm process, now that TSMC has begun production using its newest process.
And progress marches on. TSMC is already hard at work on a 2nm process, according to a new report from Digitimes. This will be a six-stage process, and production is not expected until 2025.
The iPhone-maker will be one of TSMC’s first customers for the next-gen chips. “Apple reportedly has been keenly preparing for 2nm chips and is looking to collaborate with TSMC for its in-house developed processors with the new node,” Digitimes reported earlier this year.
The Taiwanese company has to keep up with its rivals. Samsung began making 3nm chips in summer 2022, while Intel is scheduled to start producing its own 3nm processors in 2023.
