Industry sources claim that TSMC’s initial production of chips built on the new 3-nanometer process has been ordered by Apple for use in both its iOS and Apple Silicon devices.
After previous reports that TSMC was nearing completion of its new 3-nanometer process, a new report says Apple has placed an order for its M-series and A-series processors using it.
According to Money.UDNSupply chain sources say trials are running smoothly. The sources estimate that TSMC’s 3nm line is on track to produce 600,000 processors per year, or 50,000 per month, with mass production beginning in 2022.
Those numbers are expected to increase as the publication also reports an estimate that TSMC will need to sell at least 300 million processors to make a profit.
It is not stated how many units Apple ordered, or within what precise timescale. However, the sources say the order is primarily for producing the M-series processors for the Mac.
Money.UDN also says 3nm will be used for iPads and Macbook devices. Plus TSMC’s new process will create future A-series processors for the iPhone. Previous rumors had it that the 3nm process will be ready to create the “A16” chip in 2022.
Previously, TSMC claimed that its 3nm process will deliver a performance boost of between 10% and 15% over even its recent 5nm process. 3nm chips are also said to provide between 20% and 25% more energy savings.
According to Money.UDNTSMC has also developed a 4nm process, which will be launched earlier than the 3nm process. For both 3nm and 4nm, TSMC is in direct competition with Samsung, but sources say TSMC will beat its rival in the market by at least six months.
Recently, however, TSMC has reportedly lost significant personnel to new rival companies. In what may be a step towards building an independent manufacturing industry in China, companies such as Quanxin Integrated Circuit Manufacturing (QXIC) and Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (HSMC) have hired more than 50 former TSMC employees.