One of Apple's manufacturing partners, TSMC, is expected to start producing chips using the 3nm process in the second half of 2022 and is already working on improving the 5nm process. Like other chipmakers in the industry, TSMC has been working on smaller processes, and is now said to have started building the production lines and supporting facilities associated with 3nm. DigiTimes reports that the 3nm project is still on track for a risky trial run in 2021, with a move to volume production in the second half of 2022.

 

 

If the story is correct, then Apple is clearly ahead of schedule with the A15 and A22 chips for 2022 iPhone/iPad devices, in line with the typical iPhone production roadmap.

 

TSMC is said to be using 5nm technology for mass production and is already working on an improved version compared to the future 3nm technology. The company may be working on more derivative versions, such as further enhancements to the 5nm+ process node.

 

As for orders for this year, it is widely believed that Apple is using TSMC's 5nm process for the next generation of A-series chips (A14 for iPhone 12), with production scheduled for mid-2020.

 

In April, it was reported that Apple had placed additional chip orders for the fourth quarter of 2020, signalling bullish consumer demand for this year's switch.

 

Finally, TSMC also intends to move some of its chip production to the US, for example by investing $12 billion in a factory in Arizona. If all goes well, the plant could be opened in 2021 and production could begin in 2024.