Apple is currently in the phase of shifting its entire Mac lineup from Intel to its custom silicon as part of its latest transition to self-manufactured silicon. The Cupertino giant has recently launched its new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the new M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that deliver enhanced performance compared to Intel chips on Mac.
This transition might be causing a greater rift between Apple and Intel, however, the relationship between Apple and TSMC is greatly improving as Apple is the chip manufacturer’s primary and biggest customer. However, TSMC is now reportedly struggling to manufacture 3nm chips for the iPhone 14, potentially to be called the A16 Bionic.
According to sources, TSMC is now struggling to manufacture 3nm process chips for next year’s iPhone 14 lineup, and currently, the chip manufacturer is in the middle of its transition to the 3nm process technique. The iPhone 13 series features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip which is based on the 5nm process.
TSMC’s 3nm processors will allow the iPhone 14 to consume less energy and the device will be able to provide enhanced battery life without the need to increase battery size. however, we are getting reports that the transition from 5nm to 3nm is not expected to happen in time for Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup as TSMC is currently facing issues with the promised transition.
The upshot of TSMC’s struggles is that the iPhone’s processor will be stuck on the same chip manufacturing process for three consecutive years, including next year, for the first time in its history, according to an analysis by The Information of Apple’s previous chips. That could in turn cause some customers to put off upgrading their devices for another year and give Apple’s competitors a bit more time to catch up.
Previous reports have all claimed that Apple is ready to shift to TSMC’s 3nm process as it plans to integrate it in some of its products, however, current reports suggest that Apple will be sticking with the same 5nm process technology next year as well.
However, despite this hurdle, TSMC is still expected to launch 3nm chips ahead of the competition from Intel and Qualcomm. Both Apple and TSMC are dependent on each other to some extent so it’s too early to draw any conclusion that this delay will cause any strain to their relationship.
