A well-known leaker, who goes by the name 手机晶片达人, which translates to “mobile phone chip expert,” has dismissed the claims that next year's iPhones will feature 2nm chips from TSMC. In a post on Weibo, the leaker labelled these rumours as “nonsense fake news.”
Leaker denies rumours
Based on their knowledge of production capacity planning, the leaker stated that TSMC's 2nm chips would not be available until the end of 2025. Therefore, it is unlikely that the next generation of iPhones, typically launched in early or mid-September, will include these advanced chips.
The 2nm chips are highly anticipated due to their expected performance improvements. They are projected to offer a 10% to 15% boost in performance while maintaining the same power consumption or provide 25% to 30% better power efficiency at the same performance level. These significant advancements have spurred TSMC to work diligently to accelerate the production timeline to meet the demands of Apple, their primary client, as soon as possible.
Production challenges
However, given the current timeline, the leaker argues that it is unrealistic for TSMC to speed up production enough to meet the deadline for next year's iPhones. The current projection indicates that TSMC's 2nm chips will only be ready for production by the end of 2025, making it virtually impossible to meet the launch schedule for the 2024 iPhone models.
The technological advancements promised by the 2nm chips have generated a lot of excitement and anticipation. A 10% to 15% increase in performance without additional power consumption would be a significant leap forward, allowing for faster and more efficient devices. Alternatively, a 25% to 30% improvement in power efficiency at the same performance level would greatly benefit battery life, a crucial factor for mobile devices.
Implications for Apple's timeline
Despite the high expectations, the reality of chip production timelines must be acknowledged. The production and refinement of such advanced technology require significant time and resources. While TSMC is undoubtedly working hard to meet the demands of its clients, including Apple, the leaker's information suggests that the timelines are too tight to expect 2nm chips in next year's iPhones.
Apple typically unveils its new iPhones in September, with the latest models hitting the market shortly after. This annual release cycle is well-known, and any significant delays or changes to the expected technology can impact market expectations and consumer interest. The absence of 2nm chips in the 2024 iPhones may disappoint some enthusiasts, but it highlights chip production's complex and demanding nature.
As technology evolves rapidly, the push for more efficient and powerful chips remains a critical focus for companies like TSMC and their clients. While the 2nm chips will eventually bring notable improvements, patience will be required as production and development continue at their necessary pace.
In conclusion, a reliable leaker has refuted the claims that next year's iPhones will feature TSMC's 2nm chips. According to their information, the production timeline does not support such an inclusion. As we await further advancements, it is clear that cutting-edge technology development remains challenging and time-consuming.
