We’re presently on the iPhone 13 sequence, so why ought to we be speaking concerning the iPhone 18? On the earliest, the iPhone 18 will arrive in 5 years’ time. So, is it not method too early to speak concerning the iPhone 18? Nicely, we’re not speaking when it comes to its options or something. We’re speaking when it comes to the manufacturing means of its chip. After coming into the 10nm node, the semiconductor course of is approaching the restrict step-by-step. TSMC plans to mass-produce the 3nm course of within the second half of this yr, however it would take a number of years for the 2nm course of sooner or later. In response to latest studies, TSMC’s 2nm course of will arrive in 2026 and right now, we will probably be speaking concerning the iPhone 18.

Eventually week’s earnings assembly, TSMC CEO Wei Zhejia responded to the progress of the brand new course of. He claims that the corporate’s 2nm manufacturing course of is in growth. TSMC can also be assured that it’ll nonetheless preserve a number one place on the 2nm node. As for the mass manufacturing time level of the 2nm course of, TSMC claims that the method will enter trial manufacturing in 2024. Moreover, mass manufacturing of this course of will start in 2025. The mass manufacturing of this course of will happen within the second half of 2025 and even on the finish of the yr.

TSMC 2nm manufacturing course of to start in 2025

Judging from TSMC’s place, the 2nm course of is not going to actually enter the manufacturing stage till a minimum of the second half of 2025. Apple will certainly not catch up in 2025, and it’ll not be potential to see an Apple 2nm gadget in 2025. On the earliest, the primary Apple gadget with a 2nm chip will arrive in 2026. That is additionally the speculated launch date for the iPhone 18 if all goes in accordance with schedule. This additionally signifies that the iPhone 14, 15, 16 and 17 sequence will solely use chips constructed with the 4nm and 3nm manufacturing processes.

In contrast to Samsung’s aggressive use of GAA transistors on the 3nm node, TSMC will solely use GAA transistors on the 2nm node. The brand new know-how nonetheless brings quite a lot of challenges, leading to a number of years for mass manufacturing of the 2nm course of. As well as, Intel’s 20A and 18A processes will even use GAA transistor know-how, concentrating on TSMC Samsung’s GAA course of.

The 5nm manufacturing course of is presently a major enchancment from 7nm chips. Nevertheless, it seems that the subsequent important enchancment will probably be within the 2nm course of.