Apple A20 to Use TSMC 2nm Process
According to analysts cited by Wccftech, Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, set for release in the second half of this year, will be powered by the A19 chip built on TSMC's third-generation 3nm (N3P) process. Meanwhile, the A20 series processors, expected to debut in the iPhone 18 lineup next year, are anticipated to leverage TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing process.
TSMC has maintained a dominant position in semiconductor fabrication, with reports suggesting that the company's 2nm trial production has already achieved a 60% yield rate. Mass production is expected to commence by the end of the year. As a leader in the premium smartphone market and TSMC's largest customer, Apple is likely to be among the first to adopt the 2nm process. While GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu initially suggested that Apple's A20 chip would continue to use the 3nm process in 2025, he has since revised his statement, now predicting that the A20 series will transition to 2nm. However, it remains unclear whether this shift will apply to all variants or just the A20 Pro model.
Meanwhile, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities has pointed out that not all devices may feature the latest high-performance chipset due to cost considerations. The price per 2nm wafer is estimated to reach $30,000, making it a significant investment for manufacturers. Given the higher technical demands of 2nm fabrication compared to 3nm, TSMC is working against the clock to ramp up production at its 2nm facilities.
A recent report indicates that with the full-scale operation of TSMC's Baoshan and Kaohsiung fabs, monthly 2nm wafer production could reach 80,000 units by the end of 2025. Additionally, the company is expected to launch a new "CyberShuttle" service in April, allowing companies like Apple to conduct multi-project wafer testing, optimizing costs and efficiency.
With the iPhone 18 still about a year and a half away, these projections are subject to change. More updates on Apple's processor roadmap and TSMC's advancements are expected in the coming months.
