Tech Trio Unite: Qualcomm and MediaTek Set to Join Apple in TSMC’s 2024 3nm Fiesta!
In the realm of microchip mastery, TSMC’s latest creation, the first-of-its-kind 3nm process node known as N3B, has found an exclusive dance partner in the tech world. Drumroll, please! The chosen one to groove to the 3nm beats is none other than the tech giant Apple, with its iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max stealing the spotlight. And no, it’s not a coincidence; it’s a tale of wafer prices, yields, and a bit of Apple extravagance.
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TSMC Apple’s VIP Seat: The $20,000 Ticket to 3nm Glory!
If you’re thinking, “Wait, what’s the big deal with 3nm?” Well, besides being smaller than a flea’s Sunday brunch, it powers Apple’s A17 Pro, the wizard behind the curtain of iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Now, why is Apple the sole rider on the 3nm rollercoaster?
wafer prices as high as $20,000 a pop, with yields only cozying up to 55%. In this high-stakes game, Apple boldly said, “Challenge accepted!” But, of course, Apple was the only one brave enough to pay the price of admission.
TSMC’s Sweetheart Deal: Chips, Yields, and a Dash of Romance!
Hold on, though! In the background, The Information spilled the silicon beans in August, claiming TSMC’s yield was a whopping 70%, giving Apple a “sweetheart deal.” Usually, if your chip falters the QC limbo, you pay the piper for the defects. Not Apple, though! TSMC’s treating them to a chip feast without sending the bill. Talk about a romance blossoming on the silicon wafer!
Chips in the Oven: TSMC’s 3nm Bake-off!
China Times dishes out the numbers, revealing TSMC’s monthly production of 60,000-70,000 wafers for those crispy 3nm chips. But wait, there’s more! By the end of next year, the chip factory plans to hit the 100,000-wafer mark. Qualcomm and MediaTek are eyeing the second-gen 3nm node, N3E, as their ticket to the chip party. Hey, it’s rumored to cost less than N3B—smart choices, right?
TSMC’s 2024: The Year of the Nano Boom!
Fast forward to 2024, and TSMC’s pockets are jingling with the sound of 3nm chips, contributing a cool 10% to the revenue party—double the 5% it brought in this year. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 APs are ready to sizzle, courtesy of N3E. The question isn’t just “What’s next?” but “What’s nano?”
TSMC Apple’s Billion-Dollar Dance Moves: Leading the 3nm Tango!
Hold on to your iPhones, folks! In 2023, the A17 Pro and M3 chips are predicted to sprinkle $3.1 billion into TSMC’s piggy bank. Yes, you read that right. Apple isn’t just dipping its toes; it’s doing a cannonball into the 3nm pool.
Word on the silicon street is that Apple’s tab for designing the 3nm M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chipsets was a jaw-dropping $1 billion. The chip dance is a costly affair, but with moves like these, Apple aims to lead the orchestra of 3nm wonders.
