Apple had planned to introduce a new chip in its iPhone 17 Pro, but the arrival of this unique processor in the world, the first engraved with 2 nanometer technology, would ultimately have to wait until 2026. For good reason, TSMC, the company in responsible for manufacturing this chip would have encountered several difficulties during testing.
According to a South Korean report, detailing TSMC’s progress with this technology, the Taiwanese company would have difficulty achieving the expected levels of performance. This delay in development would have pushed Apple to delay the arrival of this new chip on its iPhones by a year.
As a reminder, TSMC is the sole producer of chips for Apple since the Apple brand moved to Apple Silicon in November 2020. The Cupertino company works with TSMC for the chips of its iPhone, iPad and Mac, but also the processor at the heart of its accessories such as AirPods, Apple Watch and HomePod.
Semiconductor production: a global issue
With its work on chip production, TSMC is one of the most influential companies on the planet. She works for Apple, but also for Nvidia and Qualcomm. This national production allows Taiwan to protect itself from mainland China.
The latter being increasingly territorially threatening, the “silicon shield” offered by TSMC is a real geopolitical issue. At the same time, the United States, TSMC’s main ally, wants to see a Taiwanese factory open on its soil. A project is under construction in Arizona and should secure chip production in Uncle Sam’s territory. Thus reducing the risks of shortages for the coming years.
Today the TSMC company produces 10,000 chip wafers per month. The company would like to quickly multiply this figure by 8, with the construction of new foundries. The opening of the Arizona factory should ultimately enable it to exceed the threshold of 140,000 wafers produced per year.
By : Keleops AG
