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The iPhone 18 lineup was reported to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 SoC, but an analyst stated that it would disappointingly stick with TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process, also known as ‘N3P.’ This lithography is expected to be leveraged for the A19 that is said to debut later in the year for the iPhone 17, so in terms of manufacturing processes, the two chipsets would share no differences. Thankfully, the same analyst has now changed his previous statement, mentioning that the A20 will be mass produced on the 2nm process.
TSMC to make substantial efforts to improve 2nm yields, with wafer output said to meet the demand for Apple’s A20 by the end of 2025.
So far, it is TSMC that reigns supreme in the foundry race, with the Taiwanese semiconductor giant said to have achieved a 60 percent yield during its trial production of the 2nm process, meaning that companies such as Apple will be chomping at the bit to secure the first batch of wafers. We can also assume that several readers will be breathing a sigh of relief that the A20 will be mass produced on improved architecture. MacRumors spotted an amended statement from GF Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu, who now believes that the 2nm process will be utilized.
What he did not mention is whether the same technology will remain consistent with all 18 iPhone models or if it is just the ‘Pro’ versions that will be treated to the more advanced 2nm SoC. Thankfully, another analyst, TF International Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo, predicted that not all handsets will be treated to the bleeding-edge chipset thanks to the exorbitant costs, with each wafer estimated to cost $30,000. Given that 2nm wafers are said to be in higher demand than 3nm, TSMC is racing against time to get production up and running at all of its plants in Taiwan.
One report stated that with both Baoshan and Kaohsiung facilities fully operational, TSMC can ramp up monthly 2nm wafer production to 80,000 units by the end of 2025, with a new ‘CyberShuttle’ service said to commence in April that will allow companies like Apple to evaluate their tests on the same test wafer to save up on costs. Of course, it is important to note that with the iPhone 18 launch a year and a half away, plans could change in the blink of an eye, so stay tuned for more updates in the future.
wccftech.com
TSMC to make substantial efforts to improve 2nm yields, with wafer output said to meet the demand for Apple’s A20 by the end of 2025.
So far, it is TSMC that reigns supreme in the foundry race, with the Taiwanese semiconductor giant said to have achieved a 60 percent yield during its trial production of the 2nm process, meaning that companies such as Apple will be chomping at the bit to secure the first batch of wafers. We can also assume that several readers will be breathing a sigh of relief that the A20 will be mass produced on improved architecture. MacRumors spotted an amended statement from GF Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu, who now believes that the 2nm process will be utilized.
What he did not mention is whether the same technology will remain consistent with all 18 iPhone models or if it is just the ‘Pro’ versions that will be treated to the more advanced 2nm SoC. Thankfully, another analyst, TF International Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo, predicted that not all handsets will be treated to the bleeding-edge chipset thanks to the exorbitant costs, with each wafer estimated to cost $30,000. Given that 2nm wafers are said to be in higher demand than 3nm, TSMC is racing against time to get production up and running at all of its plants in Taiwan.
One report stated that with both Baoshan and Kaohsiung facilities fully operational, TSMC can ramp up monthly 2nm wafer production to 80,000 units by the end of 2025, with a new ‘CyberShuttle’ service said to commence in April that will allow companies like Apple to evaluate their tests on the same test wafer to save up on costs. Of course, it is important to note that with the iPhone 18 launch a year and a half away, plans could change in the blink of an eye, so stay tuned for more updates in the future.
Apple’s A20 Lithography Details Have Been Revised, Analyst Now States That The New Chipset For The iPhone 18 Series Will Be Mass Produced On TSMC’s 2nm Process
An analyst has backtracked on his earlier prediction, now believing that Apple’s A20 chipset will be fabricated on TSMC’s 2nm technology
wccftech.com