Industry sources claim that TSMC’s initial production of chips built on the new 3-nanometer process was commissioned by Apple for use on both its iOS and Apple Silicon devices.
Following previous reports that TSMC was close to completing its new 3-nanometer process, a new report says that Apple has placed an order for its M-Series and A-Series processors, which use it.
Conformable Bani.UDN, supply chain sources say studies are progressing smoothly. Sources estimate that TSMC’s 3nm line will produce 600,000 processors annually, or 50,000 per month, mass production starting in 2022.
These figures are expected to increase, as the publication also reports an estimate that TSMC must sell at least 300 million processors to make a profit.
It is not reported how many units Apple ordered or in what precise time period. However, sources say that the order is mainly for the production of M series processors for Mac.
Bani.UDN also says that 3nm will be used for iPads and Macbook devices. In addition, the new TSMC process will make future A-series processors for the iPhone. Earlier rumors said that the 3nm process will be ready to produce the “A16” chip in 2022.
Earlier, TSMC claimed that its 3nm process will provide a 10% to 15% increase in performance even compared to its recent 5nm process. It is also said that 3nm chips will provide between 20% and 25% increased energy savings.
Conformable Bani.UDN, TSMC has also developed a 4nm process, which it will launch before the 3nm one. For both 3nm and 4nm, TSMC competes directly with Samsung, but sources say TSMC will beat its market rival by at least six months.
However, TSMC has recently lost key personnel to new rival companies. In what may be a move to build an independent processing industry in China, companies such as Quanxin Integrated Circuit Manufacturing (QXIC) and Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (HSMC) have hired over 50 former TSMC employees.