Apple May Be the First Client to Use TSMC’s 2nm Chips

According to industry insiders, Apple is poised to become the first company to adopt TSMC’s 2nm process chips. This news was initially reported by tech media, stating that Apple “is widely considered the first customer to use this technology.”

TSMC plans to start production of the 2nm chips in the second half of 2025. This more advanced manufacturing process allows for more transistors to be integrated on the chip, thus increasing processor speed and achieving more efficient power consumption. The leap from 5nm to 3nm technology previously resulted in a 20% increase in GPU speed, a 10% increase in CPU speed for the iPhone, and a doubling of the speed of the iPhone’s neural network engine. Similar improvements are expected on Mac computers.

TSMC has invested heavily in developing more advanced process technology, and Apple is adapting its chip design to accommodate the new technology. Currently, TSMC is constructing two new factories for the production of 2nm chips and is seeking approval for a third factory. Typically, when there is a need to increase capacity to handle large orders, TSMC constructs new wafer fabs, indicating an expansion towards the 2nm technology.

In the 2nm process technology, TSMC will use GAAFET (Gate-All-Around Field-Effect Transistor) and Nanosheet in place of FinFET (Fin Field-Effect Transistor), making the manufacturing process more complex. Compared to FinFET transistor technology, GAAFET transistor technology has a more complex structure, lower threshold voltage, resulting in enhanced performance, lower power consumption, and better power efficiency.

Furthermore, TSMC also plans to introduce several new improved versions of the 3nm process. They have already launched enhanced versions of N3E and N3P chips based on the 3nm process and are developing other chips applicable to high-performance computing and automotive applications.

There are rumors that TSMC has begun developing even more advanced 1.4nm chips and plans to roll them out as early as 2027. Additionally, Apple is also looking to reserve initial production capacity for TSMC’s 1.4nm and 1nm technologies.

Overall, Apple is poised to become the first company to adopt TSMC’s 2nm process chips. This more advanced manufacturing process will bring higher performance and lower power consumption to processors. As technology advances, we can look forward to what breakthroughs future electronic products will bring.