MediaTek Inc. completed the design of its first flagship processor using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s 2-nanometer technology, marking another step in the contract chipmaker’s race to commercialize its most advanced manufacturing process.
The Taiwanese chip designer said Monday it successfully taped out the system-on-chip, which targets mobile devices, automotive systems and data centers. Volume production is scheduled for late 2026, aligning with industry expectations for broader 2nm adoption.
TSMC’s enhanced N2P process promises performance gains of up to 18% at equivalent power consumption compared to current 3nm technology, while reducing power usage by roughly 36% at similar speeds. The process introduces nanosheet transistor architecture and delivers 1.2 times higher logic density than existing nodes.
The announcement positions MediaTek among TSMC’s earliest 2nm customers, though the foundry has already secured commitments from bigger players. Apple has reportedly locked up nearly half of initial 2nm production capacity for its iPhone chips, while Qualcomm represents another major early adopter.
MediaTek’s move reflects intensifying competition in premium smartphone processors, where the company trails Qualcomm in market share. Each 2nm wafer carries an estimated price tag of US$30,000, underscoring the significant financial commitment required to access cutting-edge manufacturing.
TSMC plans to begin 2nm mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, with monthly output targeting 50,000 wafers initially.
