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Apple’s Future Chip Strategy with TSMC: A Shift to 2nm Technology
Reflecting on the landscape of chip manufacturing, TSMC began its journey with the 5nm process node back in 2020, with Apple and Huawei as its first significant clients. Apple has consistently emerged as TSMC’s largest customer, but Huawei also played a crucial role during this period until U.S. sanctions restricted Huawei’s access to advanced semiconductors.
As we moved into 2023, TSMC introduced its 3nm process, with Apple being the first recipient of these chips. Apple’s strategic position allowed it to secure substantial volumes of TSMC’s 3nm capabilities, effectively minimizing risks associated with production cost fluctuations.
Looking ahead, TSMC is poised to commence orders for its 2nm production starting April 1st. While many anticipated that Apple would leverage this new 2nm technology for the forthcoming iPhone 17 series via the A19 application processor, analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities has revised his projections. Initially believing Apple would rely on TSMC’s enhanced 3nm technology for the iPhone 18 in 2026, Pu now suggests that Apple is likely to introduce 2nm chips with the A20 and A20 Pro application processors in that timeframe.
By 2027, the semiconductor industry is expected to transition from the 2nm node to a more advanced 1.4nm process, indicating rapid innovation within chip manufacturing.
Transitioning to a smaller manufacturing process usually allows for a higher density of transistors, which not only enhances computational power but also improves energy efficiency. In the case of the 2nm process, TSMC will introduce its innovative Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor architecture. This design utilizes vertically stacked nanosheets that encapsulate the channel through which current flows, effectively reducing leakage and optimizing drive current.
The anticipated advancements from the GAA structure suggest that the A20 and A20 Pro processors could see a performance increase of around 15% while maintaining the same power consumption levels. Consequently, users of the iPhone 18 series should expect improved efficiency from these processors, alleviating concerns regarding battery life and heat management during use.
Source
www.phonearena.com