Apple M3, A17 Chips to Use 2nd-Generation TSMC 3nm Process in Next Year's iPhone, Mac Models: Report

Apple's next-generation A17 chip may only feature on next year’s iPhone Pro models.

Written by Siddhant Chandra, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 14 September 2022 19:18 IST

Apple M3, A17 Chips to Use 2nd-Generation TSMC 3nm Process in Next Year's iPhone, Mac Models: Report

Photo Credit: Apple

TSMC’s 2nd-generation 3nm process is known as N3E

Highlights

Apple will reportedly also use these processors in new iPad models
These new chips may offer improved energy efficiency
Apple could also use TSMC’s 3nm process for M2 Pro chips

Apple will reportedly utilise Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 2nd-generation 3nm process for its M3 and A17 chips that are said to feature in next year's Mac computers and iPhone handsets, respectively. The report suggests that these chips will enter production next year and that the Cupertino company will release these products throughout 2023. The 2nd-generation 3nm process developed by TSMC is known as N3E. This enhanced process is believed to offer improved performance and energy efficiency in comparison to the 1st-generation N3 3nm process chips.

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, Apple will use M3 and A17 chips in products next year. TSMC will reportedly begin manufacturing these chips next year using its 2nd-generation N3E 3nm process. The report claims that these new chips will be more powerful and energy efficient than the N3 3nm chips.

Apple could use TSMC's N3 3nm process for a few of its upcoming iPad models as well. The report does not mention the iPad model, which might be equipped with this chipset. The Cupertino company is reportedly gearing up to launch an iPad Pro model featuring chips manufactured using TSMC's 5nm process. This iPad Pro model is expected to enter mass production in 4Q22.

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The Nikkei Asia report further suggests that Apple could feature the new A17 chips only on the iPhone Pro models that will arrive in 2023, similar to the iPhone 14 series that was launched in global markets last week.

To recall, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were recently launched featuring a new A16 Bionic SoC. However, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are equipped with last year's A15 Bionic SoC.

An earlier report suggested that Apple could be using TSMC's 3nm process for the M2 Pro chip, which could be included in the company's new lineup of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops.

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iPhone 14

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use

Bad
Dated design and notch
Very similar to iPhone 13
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 review

Display 6.06-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1170x2532 pixels

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iPhone 14 Pro

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Superb display with always-on mode
Excellent overall performance
Good battery life
All cameras take high-quality stills and video
Regular iOS updates for many years

Bad
Extremely expensive
Relatively slow charging and transfer speed
Gets warm under heavy workloads
Limited customisation for Dynamic Island

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Pro review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

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iPhone 14 Plus

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Good overall performance
Great camera quality in daylight
iOS ecosystem and ease of use
Excellent battery life

Bad
Dated design and notch
Same SoC as iPhone 13 series
Relatively slow charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 14 Plus review

Display 6.68-inch

Processor Apple A15 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 1284x2778 pixels

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iPhone 14 Pro Max

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 16

Resolution 2796x1290 pixels

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