Apple just conducted its "Far Out" event last September 7 where the tech company unleashed the latest iPhone 14 models, yet it is already preparing for the M3 Macs, and A17 powered iPhone 15 models.
According to MacRumors, the future M3 chip for Macs, and A17 chip for iPhone 15 will utilize TSMC's improved 3-nm chip. Accordingly, we can expect the said devices to arrive next year.
Apple Plans to Adopt N3E for Macs and iPhones Next Year
Apple is set to use the updated version of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)'s newest chipmaking technology in the products that the company will launch next year, including the new M3 Macs, and the iPhone 15.
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple "plans to adopt" the enhanced 3-nm process, otherwise known as N3E, in its Macs and iPhones next year.
Currently, the A17 mobile processor is under development. The said processor will be mass-produced using TSMC's N3E chipmaking technology.
The A17 mobile processor is set to be available in the second half of 2023, as per Nikkei Asia. People familiar with the issue mentioned that the said processor will be used in the iPhone's premium entry line, which are set to release next year.
In addition, the upgraded 3-nm tech will also be used in the next generation of Apple's M3 chip for its Mac computers.
N3E is an enhanced version of TSMC's first generation of 3-nm known as N3. The utilization of N3 only started this year.
The width between transistors on a chip is identified as nanometer size or what we referred here as nm.
A chip with a smaller number is more powerful since it means more transistors can be squeezed into a chip. However, a powerful chip is more challenging to create, not to mention more expensive to produce.
Read Also: New 14, 16-inch Apple M2 MacBooks Coming Within The Next Few Weeks, Says Analyst
N3E Offers Improve Performance, Power Efficiency Compared to N3
According to TSMC, compared to N3, N3E offers improved performance and power efficiency. Moreover, the upgraded 3-nm is also made to be "more cost-effective" than the first generation.
Apple is considered as TSMC's largest customer. In addition, the tech company is TSMC's "biggest driver" when it comes to new semiconductor technologies.
It is not surprising that Apple remains its "most loyal partner" as the company will be the first to use TSMC's first generation of 3-nm technology. According to Nikkei Asia, Apple will be using the N3 for its upcoming iPads.
If the reports are indeed true, 2023 would be the second year that TSMC's most advanced chipmaking technology is utilized by Apple for its iPhone lineup.
This year, the A16 core processor in iPhone 14 Pro is produced by TSMC's 4-nm process technologies. As of this year, it is considered as "the most advanced" available.
Meanwhile, Apple is not the only one interested in TSMC's 3-nm tech. According to Nikkei Asia, Intel approached TSMC that it would also like to adopt the 3-nm chip this year or early next year.
However, the order of Intel was delayed to 2024, Nikkei Asia reported.
Related Article: Apple Analyst Says TSMC Will Start "M2 Pro" Chip Mass Production Later This Year
