Apple, in its relentless pursuit of innovation, is poised to become the primary client for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) cutting-edge 2nm chip technology. Following the successful launch of the M3 Pro and M3 chips based on TSMC’s 3nm architecture last year, Apple is already gearing up for the next leap in Apple Silicon technology. A recent report from DigiTimes suggests that Apple’s future iPhones, Macs, iPads, and other devices will be powered by these advanced 2nm chips.
TSMC’s 2nm technology, slated for mass production in the second half of 2025, promises significant computational and efficiency improvements. A lower nanometer count in chip fabrication indicates smaller transistor sizes, allowing more transistors to fit within the processor. This advancement is expected to boost performance and enhance efficiency, which could translate into better battery life for Apple’s products, including iPhones and MacBooks.
Currently, Apple utilizes TSMC’s 3nm technology in its chips for MacBook, iPad, and iPad Pro models. The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, introduced in the latest MacBook Pro models, and the A17 Pro chip for the iPhone 15 Pro, are examples of Apple’s commitment to leveraging TSMC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The transition from 5nm to 3nm chips already demonstrated a 10 percent gain in CPU performance and up to 20 percent in GPU performance. With the upcoming 2nm chips, further performance improvements are highly anticipated. TSMC is preparing for this technological advancement by constructing two new facilities and adopting GAAFET technology for the 2nm chips, which utilizes gate-all-around field-effect transistors with nanosheets instead of the traditional FinFET. This approach, although more complex, enables even smaller transistor sizes and lower power consumption.
Apple’s adoption of the 2nm architecture is expected to debut in 2025, potentially with the iPhone 17 lineup and subsequent M-series chips. Furthermore, TSMC is also progressing towards a 1.4nm architecture, targeted for announcement in 2027, with Apple likely to be the first recipient of these chips as well.
This continuous innovation and collaboration between Apple and TSMC underscore the tech giant’s dedication to staying at the forefront of the semiconductor industry. The advancements in chip technology not only highlight Apple’s commitment to performance and efficiency but also set new standards for the future of personal computing and mobile devices.
