Tim Hardwick
TSMC has achieved better-than-expected results in pilot production of its 2nm chip technology, with a yield of more than 60%, according to Taiwanese supply chain sources (via Liberty Times Net). The news suggests the company is well positioned to begin mass production of 2nm in 2025, which could lead to its use in Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models next year.
The semiconductor maker is reportedly conducting a risky pilot production at its Baoshan plant in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan, where it has implemented a new nanosheet architecture that promises a significant improvement over the current 3nm FinFET process. The company plans to transfer this manufacturing expertise to its Kaohsiung plant for mass production, the report said.
TSMC's progress bodes well for Apple, given analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's September report and more recent rumors that Apple's 2026 iPhone 18 Pro models will feature chips built exclusively on TSMC's 2nm process and 12GB of RAM. Standard iPhone 18 models are expected to continue to use the refined 3nm process due to cost concerns.
The 2nm process is reportedly generating significant interest from potential customers, particularly in the AI sector. Indeed, the company's CEO C.C. Wei noted unexpectedly high demand for the upcoming 2nm technology, suggesting that large-scale production will be ramped up as soon as possible to meet that demand.
TSMC's roadmap includes the introduction of its A16 process (1.6nm class – not to be confused with Apple's chip nomenclature) in 2026, which will combine the Super Power Rail (SPR) architecture with nanosheet transistors. SPR is expected to deliver an 8-10% performance improvement at the same voltage and complexity, a 15-20% reduction in power consumption at the same frequency and transistor count, and a 7-10% increase in chip density depending on the design.
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