Apple to buy all first 2nm TSMC chips

Apple could buy all of the first batch of 2-nanometer (2nm) chip orders from the initial production of Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturer TSMC.

Digitimes reported that Apple is “widely believed to be the initial client to utilize the process” (via Macrumors).

TSMC’s 2nm processing technology improves performance by 10-15% compared to the current N3E node. The technology will use new Gate-all-around (GAA) transistors and replace the current-gen FinFET transistors.

GAA transistors utilize vertically stacked nanosheets allowing the gate to touch the channel on all four sides. This will reduce current leakage and energy consumption while improving the current device.

Samsung has already integrated GAA with its 3nm node but TSMC will make it initial with 2nm chipsets. Other than its transistors, the 2nm process would also cut around 25-30% power consumption with increased performance and transistor counts.

TSMC could start 2nm production in 2025 similar to its competitor Samsung, which is also focusing on 1.4nm in 2027.

Aside from 2nm, Apple is using 3nm chipsets in A17 Pro and M3 chipsets, an upgrade from a 5nm node.

The iPhone maker would further enhance the CPU with the A18 chip, which is scheduled to launch later this year with the iPhone 16 series. However, specifics remain unknown for the time being.

Future iteration of Apple’s chipset for iPhones would also use a 2nm process maybe for iPhone 17 in 2025 or a more mature 2nm node in iPhone 18 by 2026.