According to foreign media reports, TSMC, which has exclusively won Apple's A-series processor foundry orders for five consecutive years, has been at the forefront of the industry in terms of chip process technology in recent years. 5nm process has been in mass production this year, and the more advanced 3nm process is also advancing on schedule, with plans for risky trial production next year and mass production in the second half of 2022.

 

And from TSMC's new disclosure, they will also launch a 4nm chip process process in between the 5nm process and the 3nm process.

 

TSMC was mentioning the 4nm process in the second quarter earnings analyst conference call material disclosed on their official website. TSMC CEO and Vice Chairman Chia-Chia Wei said at the conference that they will launch the 4nm process as an extension of the 5nm process family.

 

Wei also revealed that the 4nm process will be compatible with the design rules of the 5nm process and have a more cost-effective advantage over the 5nm process, targeting the next wave of 5nm products, which are planned for mass production in 2022.

 

However, TSMC's 4nm process is planned for mass production in 2022, as is the 3nm process, which is planned for mass production in the second half of 2022.

 

While the 4nm process is an extension of the 5nm process, the 3nm process is a new generation of TSMC's chip process node after 5nm, which will increase transistor density by 70%, operating speed by 10% to 15% and energy efficiency by 25% to 30% compared to 5nm.