Apple’s long-term partner and the only foundry in the world to produce Silicon on 5nm process, TSMC (Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) will reportedly move chip built on 3nm process in the mass production phase by end of 2021with enhanced performance, power efficiency, and more.
Currently, TSMC provides the A14 Bionic chip for iPhone and M1 chip for Macs models for Apple. Both chipsets are built on an advanced 5nm process and now the manufacturer is reportedly working on next-generation processors built on 4nm and 3nm processes. Previously, DigiTimes claimed that Apple has ordered 4nm Silicon for next-generation Macs from TSMC. In addition, the manufacturer will also develop an A15 Bionic chip for upcoming iPhones built on 5nm+ node.
TSMC moves production of the next-generation 4nm process node to 2021 and 3nm process node to 2022
As per the report viewed by MacRumors, TSMC has decided on the mass production timeline for 4nm and 3nm chipsets.
TSMC is set to move N4 (namely 4nm process) to risk production in the third quarter of 2021, while its N3 technology development is on track with volume production scheduled for second-half 2022, according to sources at the foundry’s ecosystem partner.
TSMC has claimed its N3 technology will be the world’s most advanced technology when it begins volume production in the second half of 2022. Relying on the proven FinFET transistor architecture for the best performance, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, N3 will offer up to 15% speed gain or consume up to 30% less power than N5, and provide up to 70% logic density gain.
The silicon manufacturer is expanding its production base in the United States with up to six new factories in Arizona. The company’s chief executive confirmed the groundbreaking of the new $12 billion processor production unit. “CEO C.C. Wei said the planned factory remains on track to start volume production of chips using the company’s 5-nanometer production technology starting in 2024.” The project is part of TSMC’s $100 billion investment plan over the next three years to expand production capacity to meet the increasing demand for Apple’s chips.
