In 2023, Apple seems to have taken the lead in introducing the world’s first 3nm chipset, which is manufactured by TSMC. A recent report suggests that Apple has gained a significant advantage by securing 90 percent of TSMC’s cutting-edge chip shipments.
Earlier rumors had indicated that TSMC faced challenges in meeting Apple’s demand for 3nm chips, which could have contributed to the delayed release of the M3 chipset until the following year. During Apple’s recent earnings call, it was revealed that iPhones accounted for over half of the company’s $94.8 billion revenue, while iPad and Mac sales experienced a decline.
It appears reasonable for Apple to prioritize increasing production of the A17 Bionic chip for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, leading to the delay in the M3 chipset.
TSMC has developed various versions of its 3nm chip technology, with the initial iteration known as N3B. The report lacks specific details about TSMC’s monthly output or future production ramp-up. However, it mentions that TSMC is working on a more advanced version of its 3nm process called N3E, which is expected to be utilized by companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek.
Unfortunately, mass production of TSMC’s N3E wafers is not scheduled to commence until 2024, giving the iPhone maker a significant timeline advantage over its competitors. As for N3B, the A17 Bionic chip is expected to provide substantial power savings, with TSMC claiming that its 3nm node offers approximately 35 percent improved efficiency compared to the previous architecture.
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