Sometimes it’s hard to get the units out there.
Apple supplier TSMC is rumored to be “straining” to produce enough 3-nanometer chips to meet the demand for Apple’s upcoming devices.
According to EE Times, analysts believe TSMC is having issues with tools and yield, impacting the ramp-up to volume production of the new chip technology.
TSMC is currently manufacturing the 3nm A17 that are expected to be incorporated into the iPhone 15 Pro handsets as well as working on the Mac-series “M3” chips that are expected in Apple’s forthcoming desktop and notebook computers. Arete Research analyst Brett Simpson told EE Times that he estimates TSMC’s yields for A17 and M3 processors are at approximately 55 percent, which is appropriate for the stage of development TSMC is at. “TSMC looks on schedule to boost yields by around 5+ points each quarter,” he said.
Recently, TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said that while the company has reached “high-volume production with good yield,” demand from customers exceeds its ability to supply. During the second half of the year, TSMC will ramp up production of A17 and M3 chips for Apple, while also working on chips for Intel, AMD, and Nvidia.
TSMC’s 3-nanometer chip technology is considered to be cutting edge, and it remains the only company aside from Samsung currently able to manufacture chips on a 3nm process. These chips, compared to the current 4nm process used for Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro chips, offer both speed and efficiency improvements.
Once 3nm production is well established, TSMC will move on to 2nm. TSMC is expected to start production on the 2nm node in 2025.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.