The launch of the iPhone 17 family next year, powered by Apple’s A19 and A19 Pro, which uses the industry’s first 2nm process, will give the company an unparalleled generational advantage. Even I am aware of the need to stay within the boundaries of reality. For example, TSMC was recently reported to have achieved a 60% yield on its 2nm technology prototype. This is commendable, but this number needs to be higher for profitable customers to justify their orders.
Statistically speaking, producing large quantities of wafers in the experimental stage means that production volumes are too low, and even if TSMC were to succeed in increasing its production numbers next year, the production of each wafer would be Given the astronomical costs involved, it would be impractical for Apple to leverage the technology. A19 and A19 Pro. However, the report says that by 2026, the number of wafers produced could be eight times higher than it is now, which could be a desirable amount for Apple and other customers to order from TSMC.
New estimates say that by 2026, TSMC’s monthly 2nm wafer production will increase to 80,000, enabling mass production of the A20 and A20 Pro using state-of-the-art lithography.
Previously, famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple would skip the 2nm technology in the iPhone 17 series and wait for the launch of iPhone 18 to introduce new silicon. Kuo said that not all iPhone 18 models will be treated with 2nm A20 due to the high cost. Although exact pricing was not mentioned, industry reports suggest that each 2nm wafer costs a whopping $30,000. This means that TSMC’s monthly production needs to reach peak levels and could potentially use economies of scale to lower prices.
As reported by MyDrivers, a Morgan Stanley report states that TSMC’s 2nm prototype production is only 10,000 wafers, making it impossible to increase monthly wafer production at this time. By next year, that number is expected to reach 50,000 units, and by 2026, TSMC could pump out a whopping 80,000 units, which is far too much for Apple and other companies to order. There will be enough. The Taiwanese foundry giant is also said to be exploring ways to further cut costs, starting with its “Cyber Shuttle” service, which debuts next April.
Also known as wafer sharing, this approach allows companies like Apple to evaluate their silicon on the same test wafer, leading to increased cost savings. The Cupertino giant has other plans for 2026 when it launches the A20 and A20 Pro, with both chipsets featuring a new WMCM (wafer-level multichip module) package that reduces size while increasing performance. It is said to be optimized. As for who will make TSMC’s first 2nm shipments, Apple will likely be the first.
News source: MyDrivers
