TSMC Readies for Flood of 2nm Orders in April
With both Intel and TSMC bringing their 2nm/sub-2nm nodes toward mass production, 2025 is set to be a year of fierce competition. Intel appears to be on pace with its plans to ramp up production of its sub-2nm 18A process later this year. TSMC, which has been firing on all cylinders while Intel struggled in recent years, starts taking orders April 1, according to a report in the China Times (via Wccftech). Apple, which has already worked with TSMC for iPhone chips, is apparently first in line for TSMC's new process, which isn't surprising.
TSMC is reportedly shooting for 50,000 wafers per month (on the 2nm process) by the end of 2025. That puts it well ahead of Intel as far as 2nm production goes and likely gives TSMC a significant advantage in attracting customers. Although Apple appears to be the first customer, other major buyers are lining up. China Times points to AMD, Broadcom, AWS, and even Intel as potential customers for TSMC's 2nm process. The report also pointed out that TSMC chairman Wi Zhejia has indicated that demand for TSMC's 2nm process is outpacing TSMC's wildly popular 3nm process.
Apple iPhone 16. Credit: Apple
One issue that could play a role in the competition between Intel and TSMC is tariffs. Although the current administration hasn't employed semiconductor tariffs yet, it seems to have plans for tariffs in the future. Intel's fabs are in the US, while TSMC has a fledgling fab in Arizona and produces the bulk of its chips in Taiwan. It's not clear yet how (or even whether) tariffs will come into play, but it's likely something that TSMC is monitoring. The company also recently got the green light from Taiwan to produce its newest-generation tech abroad, which may prove crucial if tariffs come down on TSMC.
Apple will likely use TSMC's 3nm technology for the upcoming iPhone 17. We hope to see that line arrive this fall with chips built using TSMC's N3P process, though official details haven't come out yet. That means you'll have to wait through one more iteration of the iPhone before getting your hands on one with Apple's A20 chips. The iPhone 18 is likely to have technology based on the 3nm process; the iPhone 18 Pro seems the most likely candidate to see the 2nm tech first.
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