Apple Orders M5 Chips from TSMC, Production by Late 2025

Apple has reportedly placed an order with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the production of its next-generation M5 chips, which are set to power future devices. The M5 series is expected to utilize an enhanced ARM architecture and will be manufactured using TSMC's cutting-edge 3-nanometer process technology.

Interestingly, Apple has decided to forgo TSMC's more advanced 2-nanometer process for the M5 chips, a choice believed to be driven primarily by cost considerations. Despite this, the M5 chips are anticipated to offer significant performance improvements over the current M4 lineup, thanks in part to TSMC's System-on-Integrated-Chips (SoIC) technology.

This innovative 3D chip stacking approach enhances thermal management and minimizes electrical leakage compared to conventional 2D designs. Apple has also expanded its collaboration with TSMC in developing next-generation hybrid SoIC packaging, which integrates thermoplastic carbon fiber composite molding technology. Reports indicate that this packaging solution entered small-scale trial production in July 2024.

The upcoming M5 chips are expected to deliver remarkable enhancements in performance and energy efficiency across various Apple devices. Production is anticipated to begin in late 2025, with the first devices featuring the M5 chips likely to launch by late 2025 or early 2026. Devices that may benefit from the M5 chip include:

· iPad Pro: Potential debut in late 2025 or early to mid-2026.

· MacBook Pro: New models featuring M5 chips expected by the end of 2025.

· MacBook Air: Anticipated to launch in early 2026.

· Apple Vision Pro: An upgraded headset with the M5 chip may be released between fall 2025 and spring 2026.

Code snippets referencing the M5 chip have reportedly been discovered in Apple's internal software, hinting at its dual-purpose SoIC design. This suggests Apple may also deploy the M5 chips in its AI server infrastructure to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities across both consumer devices and cloud services.

These developments underscore Apple's continued reliance on TSMC as its exclusive chip manufacturing partner. TSMC's advanced fabrication technologies have been crucial for Apple since its transition away from Intel processors in 2020, enabling the production of custom-designed chips with precision and efficiency. Without TSMC's expertise, Apple's groundbreaking innovations in chip technology would not be possible.