Industry sources claim that TSMC’s first production of chips is built on the new 3-nanometer processor ordered by Apple for use in both iOS and Apple Silicon devices.
Following previous reports that TSMC was close to finalizing their new 3-nanometer process, a new report states that Apple has placed an order for their M-series and A-series processors to use it. .
according to Money.UDN, supply chain sources say tests are progressing smoothly. The sources predict that TSMC ‘s 3nm line is going to produce 600,000 processors per year, or 50,000 per month, with mass production starting in 2022.
These numbers are expected to rise, as the publication also reports an estimate that TSMC will have to sell at least 300 million processors in order to return a profit.
It is not reported how many units Apple has ordered, or over the exact timeframe. However, the sources say that the order is specifically for the release of M-series processors for the Mac.
Money.UDN also states that 3nm will be used for iPads and Macbook devices. TSMC’s new processor makes future A-series processors for the iPhone. Previous rumors have said that the 3nm process will be ready for the “A16” chip production in 2022.
Previously, TSMC has claimed that their 3nm process will deliver a performance increase 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.UDN, TSMC has also been developing a 4nm process, which will launch before the 3nm one. For both 3nm and 4nm, TSMC competes directly with Samsung, but sources say TSMC will outperform their market in at least six months.
However, TSMC has recently lost key employees to new competing companies. In what could be a move to build an independent processor business in China, companies such as Quanxin Integrated Circuit Manufacturing (QXIC) and Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (HSMC) have more than 50 TSMC employees hire.