November 30, 2024 – According to a report from The Elec, Apple has placed an order for its M5 chips with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The production of these chips is expected to commence in the latter half of 2025, with the first devices powered by the M5 chip potentially hitting the market by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
The M5 series is rumored to be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process technology. While TSMC has already made available a more advanced 2nm process, Apple has reportedly opted not to use it, primarily due to cost considerations.
Despite this, the M5 chip is still expected to offer significant improvements compared to its predecessor, the M4. This is largely attributed to the adoption of the System on Integrated Chips (SoIC) packaging technology, which was first introduced in 2018. The SoIC technology enables the stacking of chips into a three-dimensional structure, resulting in better thermal management, reduced current leakage, and improved electrical performance.
Furthermore, it has been noted that Apple is also planning to deploy the M5 chip in its AI server infrastructure, aiming to enhance its “Apple-branded AI” capabilities. This move could potentially mark a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to strengthen its position in the field of artificial intelligence.
