Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has reportedly secured orders from major customers, including Apple and OpenAI, for its highly anticipated A16 process node. The A16, TSMC’s most advanced process yet, is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, initially in Taiwan.
Industry reports suggest that Apple has already booked the first batch of production capacity, continuing its long-standing relationship with TSMC. OpenAI, known for its leading role in the AI industry, has also shown significant interest, driven by the demand for custom AI chips. This move marks a notable expansion of TSMC’s footprint in AI-related semiconductor production.
Rumors had circulated that OpenAI considered building a dedicated wafer fab with TSMC but ultimately opted to collaborate with American firms like Broadcom and Marvell. These partnerships will leverage TSMC’s 3nm and A16 processes to develop custom ASIC chips. This strategy underscores OpenAI’s growing influence in AI hardware design, which extends even to Apple’s AI development efforts.
Despite the buzz, TSMC declined to comment on individual customer engagements, in line with its policy of maintaining confidentiality regarding market rumors and specific client activities. The A16 process is poised to set new standards in semiconductor manufacturing, incorporating cutting-edge nanosheet transistor and Super Power Rail (SPR) technologies.
