TSMC steps up its N3 process node production plan
Apple is shifting from Intel x86 processors to self-developed chips as planned. With the release of a variety of new Mac products in 2022, it is likely that all but the most high-end Mac Pro will use M-series self-developed chips. According to previous media reports, Apple’s self-developed chip plan is updated every 18 months. According to this timetable, Apple will launch the M3 series of chips in 2023.
At the same time, TSMC is intensively advancing the mass production plan of the N3 process node. It is understood that TSMC will mass-produce the N3 process node in the second half of 2022. The first batch of 3nm chips will be shipped in early 2023. At the same time, it plans to mass-produce the enhanced 3nm process called N3E in the second half of 2023. The N3 process node still uses the structure of FinFET transistors and will become another mass-produced and long-lasting process node of TSMC. As an extension of N3, N3E will have better performance and power consumption.
According to DigiTimes, Apple’s first chip manufactured using TSMC’s N3 process node will be released in 2023. It is likely that the A17 Bionic or M3 chip will power the 2023 Mac and iPhone models for better performance and longer battery life. As TSMC’s largest customer, Apple occupies more than a quarter of the market. It is believed that the production arrangements will also focus on Apple’s products.
It has been reported that Apple adopts the third-generation M-series SoC of the 3nm process, the code names of which are Ibiza, Lobos, and Palma, corresponding to different levels of performance requirements. It is said that the top chip will be configured with 40 CPU cores to meet the performance requirements of workstations like Mac Pro. I believe it will completely replace the Intel Xeon processor used in Mac Pro by then.
