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Nearly two years after kicking off its 2nm processor program, TSMC plans to use its technology in Apple, a new report says in mid to late 2025 devices like the iPhone 17 Pro.
Back in 2022, Apple processor maker TSMC announced that it plans to mass produce 2nm processors by 2025. Shortly after this announcement, it was revealed that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro would be the first device to receive the new processors.
Then, in early 2024, it was announced that Apple had received the entire production volume of TSMC's 2nm processors. They will be used on the iPhone 17 Pro and Apple Silicon Mac computers.
Now, according to Digitimes, TSMC is preparing to produce its 2nm “N2” processors. Small-scale production is planned for the end of 2024, and mass production for 2025.
At the same time, TSMC is now moving to the production of 1.4 nm processors. The company calls its 1.4nm processor internally the “A14”, not to be confused with the processor in the 2020 iPhone 12 lineup.
TSMC is also developing an advanced 2nm processor known as “N2P”. This is expected to happen towards the end of 2026, so it may be too late for the iPhone 18 Pro.
This means that Apple will not be able to use 2nm processors for the 2024 iPhone 16 Pro.
This is despite expectations that the iPhone 16 Pro and iOS 18 will come with new artificial intelligence features. It is commonly stated that AI requires more powerful processors, but in practice it needs features like Apple's Neural Engine specifically designed for it — and has been included to some extent for many years.
Digitimes has a good reputation for sourcing Apple's supply chain, but a decidedly poor record for how well it extrapolates Apple's plans based on the information it receives.
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