May 21, 2024 – Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, made a surprise visit to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) yesterday, triggering speculation that the two tech giants have held a secretive meeting and reached an agreement for Apple to secure the entire initial 2nm production capacity from TSMC.
TSMC has long been the exclusive chip manufacturer for Apple’s A-series and M-series processors, demonstrating a longstanding partnership between the two companies. Apple has already booked 100% of TSMC’s 3nm chip manufacturing capacity, which will power the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro, the M3 chip in the latest Mac models, and the M4 chip in the new iPad Pro.
According to industry insiders at TrendForce, Williams’ visit to TSMC was a highly confidential affair, with TSMC’s CEO, Wei Zhejia, personally greeting the Apple executive. This low-key meeting is believed to have focused on securing TSMC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, specifically the 2nm process, for Apple’s internal artificial intelligence chips.
Reports in April indicated that TSMC’s 2nm chip development was well underway, with plans to prioritize the process for the chips powering the anticipated iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025. Apple’s decision to secure all initial 2nm production capacity from TSMC underscores its commitment to staying ahead in the race for technological dominance and leveraging the latest chip technology to power its products.
With this latest move, Apple is positioning itself to maintain its technological edge, while TSMC solidifies its position as a key player in the global semiconductor industry. The partnership between the two companies continues to demonstrate their mutual trust and commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology.
