TSMC 2nm Process Yield Exceeds 60%!

According to Wccftech, TSMC is expediting the delivery of its first batch of 2nm test wafers to customers, with the company reporting that its 2nm process has already achieved a yield rate exceeding 60%. The next-generation A20 processor, expected to power Apple's iPhone 18 series next year, is likely to be manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process.

TSMC has long maintained its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. Earlier reports indicated that the 2nm trial production yield had reached 60%, with mass production expected to commence by the end of this year. Analysts note that the 60% yield figure was reported three months ago, and since then, improvements in the trial production phase suggest that full-scale manufacturing could begin soon.

As a dominant player in the premium smartphone market and TSMC's largest client, Apple is expected to be among the first to adopt the 2nm process. Initially, GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu predicted that Apple's upcoming A20 processor would continue using the 3nm process. However, he recently revised his stance, now asserting that the A20 series will be built on the 2nm node. It remains unclear whether this applies to all A20 models or only the high-end A20 Pro variant.

Industry expert Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities forecasts that not all smartphones will utilize cutting-edge 2nm chips due to their high cost, with each 2nm wafer estimated to cost around $30,000. Given that 2nm manufacturing demands even more stringent requirements than 3nm, TSMC is racing against time to scale up production at its 2nm fabrication facilities.

A recent report suggests that with the full-scale operation of TSMC's Baoshan and Kaohsiung plants, monthly 2nm wafer production could reach 80,000 units by the end of 2025. Additionally, TSMC is set to launch its new "CyberShuttle" service in April, allowing companies like Apple to evaluate multiple designs on a single test wafer, significantly reducing development costs.