苹果移动处理器现在由台积电在美国制造

台积电 (TSMC) 位于亚利桑那州的第一家制造工厂已开始采用 5 纳米工艺生产苹果移动处理器。据可靠消息称，两年前在 iPhone 14 Pro 中推出的新款 Apple A16 片上系统 (SoC) 正在台积电 Fab 21 工厂的初始阶段进行，数量虽小但数量很大。随着 Fab 1 第二阶段接近完工并开始大规模生产，产量将大幅增加，与 2025 年中期全面运营的目标保持一致。值得注意的是，业内人士告诉我们，这些 A16 芯片采用与台湾生产相同的 N4P 工艺制造。尽管 N4P 通常被称为 4nm 节点或 5nm 节点，但它属于更广泛的 5nm 制造工艺系列 - 台积电将其标记为 5nm 的高级变体。台积电代表Nina Kao表示，亚利桑那州项目正在稳步推进。尽管她拒绝透露有关客户或该工厂生产的商品的详细信息，但她承认正在发生的事态发展。亚利桑那州项目是美国政府六个月前根据《CHIPS 法案》资助的 390 亿美元 CHIPS for America 基金的旗舰计划。最初，人们猜测苹果将利用 Arizona 生产影响较小的芯片，例如 AirPods 中使用的 H 系列；然而，选择先进的 A16 芯片表明苹果和台积电的目标是大幅进军美国市场。目前，台积电报告亚利桑那州和台湾地区的产量几乎相等，预计将在未来几周内实现完全同等的产量。不幸的是，有关哪些苹果设备将采用 A16 芯片的更多细节仍不清楚。可能性包括即将推出的 iPad 型号或预计将于明年发布的下一代 iPhone SE。对于喜欢简洁摘要的读者来说，头条新闻是苹果先进的 A16 移动处理器现已通过苹果与台积电的合作在美国生产。这一发展标志着该国在技术创新和创造就业方面向前迈出了重要一步。记者

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) first fabrication plant in Arizona has commenced production of Apple's mobile processors using a 5nm process. Initial production of the new Apple A16 System-on-Chip (SoC), introduced two years ago in the iPhone 14 Pro, is taking place at the initial phase of the TSMC Fab 21 site in small yet substantial quantities, according to reliable sources. As the second stage of Fab 1 nears completion and mass production begins, output is set to significantly increase, aligning with the targeted commencement of full operations by mid-2025. Remarkably, these A16 chips are manufactured using the same N4P process as those produced in Taiwan, industry insiders inform us. Although N4P is often referred to as a 4nm node or a 5nm node, it belongs within the broader 5nm family of manufacturing processes - TSMC labels it an advanced variant of 5nm. As per Nina Kao, a representative for TSMC, the Arizona project is advancing steadily. Despite her refusal to divulge details regarding clients or goods manufactured at the facility, she acknowledged the ongoing developments. The Arizona project represents the flagship initiative of the $39 billion CHIPS for America Fund under the CHIPS Act, funded by the U.S. government six months ago. Initially, it was speculated that Apple would utilize Arizona for lower-impact chips such as the H-series employed in AirPods; however, the selection of the sophisticated A16 chip indicates Apple and TSMC aim to make a substantial entrance in the United States. At present, TSMC reports nearly equal yields between Arizona and Taiwan, with rapid advancements anticipated to achieve full yield equivalence over the coming weeks. Unfortunately, further specifics concerning which Apple devices will incorporate the A16 chips remain unclear. Possibilities include forthcoming iPad models or the subsequent generation of the iPhone SE, projected for release next year. For readers who prefer condensed summaries, the headline-grabbing news is that Apple's advanced A16 mobile processors are now being manufactured in the USA through collaboration between Apple and TSMC. This development signifies a major step forward for technological innovation and job creation in the country. Journalists

Good Evening from Taipei,

TSMC’s first Arizona chips are now in production, and Apple is ready to be the first cab off the rank with mobile processors made using the foundry’s 5nm process.

Apple’s A16 SoC, which first debuted two years ago in the iPhone 14 Pro, is currently being manufactured at Phase 1 of TSMC’s Fab 21 in Arizona in small, but significant, numbers, my sources tell me. Volume will ramp up considerably when the second stage of the Phase 1 fab is completed and production is underway, putting the Arizona project on track to hit its target for production in the first-half of 2025.

These A16 chips are made with the same N4P process as TSMC uses for the A16 produced in Taiwan, I am told. Confusingly, N4P is sometimes called a 4nm node and sometimes 5nm, but it’s part of the broader 5nm family of processes — TSMC calls it an enhanced version of 5nm. Call it 4nm if you like, I won’t correct you.

“The Arizona project is proceeding as planned with good progress,” Nina Kao, a spokeswoman for TSMC told me. She declined to comment on clients or products made at the facility.

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This is a BFD. TSMC Arizona is the marquee project of the US government’s $39 billion CHIPS for America Fund under the CHIPS Act. Six months ago, I thought Apple might tap Arizona for a less-consequential chip like the H-series used in AirPods. I was surprised when I heard it was the A16. The fact that they went for the most-advanced chip they could manage on US soil, in terms of both technology and volume, shows Apple and TSMC want to start big.

(I believe there may be other products also in production at TSMC Arizona, but I don’t have much information on them. If you do, contact me here.)

Currently TSMC is achieving yields in Arizona that are slightly behind what’s enjoyed back home in Taiwan (basically, neck and neck). Most important, though, is that improvements are moving so rapidly that true yield parity between Taiwan and Arizona is expected to be reached in coming months.

I can’t tell you which Apple device these A16 chips will go into. One possibility is that they’re slated for one of the upcoming iPads, though perhaps not the iPad Mini since Mark Gurman believes they’re to be launched around October. Another likelihood is the next iteration of the iPhone SE, which makes sense since it’s supposedly based on the iPhone 14 which uses the A16 processor and is expected next year.

Normally, media outlets will pad out their reportage with lots of background and history. I’ll leave it here. That’s the scoop: Apple’s A16 mobile processors are in production at TSMC on American soil, and that choice of product is hugely significant.

Note to media: yes, you can cite or sum this report. But proper credit is required with a link to this page (you know that I know the rules). Something like: “independent journalist Tim Culpan reported.” Thanks

苹果移动处理器现在由台积电在美国制造 Apple mobile processors are now made in America by TSMC