TSMC's 3nm process is popular and Apple enjoys an exclusive 20% discount

News on May 22, according to Electronic Times, TSMC’s 2-nanometer GAA process performed well and customers were very satisfied with its performance, so some customers urgently revised their process planning. This technological breakthrough means significant progress for TSMC.

A TSMC semiconductor equipment industry revealed that they were deeply impressed by TSMC’s latest 2-nanometer GAA process. Customers showed such interest in this breakthrough technology that they had to quickly revise their original plans. TSMC's main focus in 2023 is still the 3-nanometer process (N3/N3B) production capacity, and its overall yield will be close to 75%.

TSMC’s 3nm process is not much different from the 4nm process in terms of performance, power consumption and area (PPA), and the quotation of the 3nm process has also risen to US$20,000 per piece (approximately 140,000 yuan) ). Although only Apple enjoys the 20% discount, many customers have adjusted their process planning, including lengthening the generation cycle of the 4/5 nanometer process, slowing down the adoption of N3E and N3P, and waiting for the more advanced 2 nanometer GAA process.

It is understood that almost all customers who have adopted the 4/3nm process have formulated wafer production plans for the 2nm process. Although TSMC's capacity planning may be subject to some disruptions, customers are confident in the 2nm GAA process and have shown high loyalty.

Apple is one of TSMC’s largest customers. According to previous news, this year Apple occupied almost 90% of TSMC’s first-generation 3-nanometer process capacity for the production of future iPhone, Mac and iPad chips.

It is predicted that the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro series will use the A17 Bionic processor (N3B) based on TSMC’s first-generation 3-nanometer process. Compatible with iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Compared with Max's A16 bionic chip, the 3-nanometer process can improve energy efficiency by 35% and improve performance by 15%.

In addition to the iPhone, Apple is also expected to use the 3-nanometer M3 chip on Mac and iPad. First devices powered by M3 chips may include new 13-inch MacBook Air and 24-inch iMac, expected to be released later this year. The new iPad Pro models launched next year are also expected to use the M3 chip. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models launched in 2024 will use M3 Pro and M3 Max chips.

According to DigiTimes, TSMC is developing a more advanced 3-nanometer process called N3E. Commercial production of the process is expected to start in the second half of 2023, but actual growth in shipments will be delayed until 2024. Using the N3E process will help improve the performance and efficiency of Apple devices.

The performance of TSMC’s 2nm GAA process is eye-catching and has attracted the attention of many customers and adjusted their process planning. As one of TSMC's most important customers, Apple will widely use TSMC's 3-nanometer process in future products to improve the performance and energy efficiency of its devices and bring a better user experience to consumers.

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