Apple COO Jeff Williams Reportedly Visits Taiwan to Secure 2nm Chips

[MacRumors]

Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams has visited Taiwan to secure supply of TSMC's upcoming 2nm chips, Economic Daily News reports.

The visit apparently involved a meeting between Williams and TSMC President Wei Zhejia to discuss custom AI chips and ensure that Apple will be able to access the chipmaker's 2nm manufacturing process, which is set to begin production in 2025.

The iPhone 15 Pro is powered by the A17 Pro chip, which is manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process. This process allows for more transistors to be packed into a smaller space, delivering improvements in performance and efficiency. Apple's M4 chip, which just debuted in the new iPad Pro, uses an enhanced version of this 3nm technology. The transition to 2nm chips should bring further improvements, with projected performance gains of 10 to 15 percent and power consumption reductions of up to 30 percent compared to the 3nm process.

Securing an early supply of 2nm chips is critical for Apple, as TSMC remains the only company capable of manufacturing them at the scale and quality required. This exclusivity is vital for Apple to meet the high demand for its products while limiting competitors' access to these more advanced chips. For its 3nm chips, Apple booked all of TSMC's available chipmaking capacity. The company's 2nm chips could first appear in 2025's iPhone 17 lineup.

Article Link: Apple COO Jeff Williams Reportedly Visits Taiwan to Secure 2nm Chips

 

[iToph]

Next Apple CEO?

 

[purplerainpurplerain]

I normally just pick up the phone and wire money to place reservation.

 

[Simmias]

The headline makes it sound like Jeff Williams put on Navy SEAL gear, landed on Taiwan in a secret submarine and broke into the TSMC factory to steal a metal suitcase full of 2nm chips.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Apple’s decision to move from Samsung to TSMC was a great decision. Apple pumped in billions in. Advances to TSMC and both companies got the rewards. Apple accounts for Quarter of TSMS revenue, good business to take care of largest customer.

 

[kerr]

Bring on the Ångström era

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Apple’s decision to move from Samsung to TSMC was a great decision. Apple pumped in billions in. Advances to TSMC and both companies got the rewards. Apple accounts for Quarter of TSMS revenue, good business to take care of largest customer.

I mostly agree... but another view of this is not so great: all (phone/iPad/Mac) eggs in ONE basket.

In a scenario where Apple loses first access to TSMC, what then (one realistic scenario)? There is no easy fallback option to quickly scale up production of equivalent chips.

 

[mukiex]

I'm surprised Apple needs to head over to secure capacity. I mean, money talks, and Apple isn't exactly shy with their wallet when it comes to TSMC.

 

[mystery hill]

The headline makes it sound like Jeff Williams put on Navy SEAL gear, landed on Taiwan in a secret submarine and broke into the TSMC factory to steal a metal suitcase full of 2nm chips.

Tim usually handles that part.

 

[Darren.h]

2nm Mac Studio Max. bring it on. with Thunderbolt 5.

 

[purplerainpurplerain]

The headline makes it sound like Jeff Williams put on Navy SEAL gear, landed on Taiwan in a secret submarine and broke into the TSMC factory to steal a metal suitcase full of 2nm chips.

What if that did indeed happen because we live in strange times?

 

[madmin]

They probably want another exclusive

Greedy lumps

 

[anakin44011]

I'm surprised Apple needs to head over to secure capacity. I mean, money talks, and Apple isn't exactly shy with their wallet when it comes to TSMC.

Yeah -- given the relationship, it is assumed that Apple gets first dibs on every new process. It (along with NVIDIA's chip orders, which are a strong second) is the most symbiotic relationship in the tech hardware world right now.

Remember when Intel tried to secure some capacity or an earlier process...and then couldn't design a chip to run on their fab?

Who else can even bid on this and be ready to go? Samsung? AMD? Amazon or Google?

 

[adamw]

Get those 2nm chips booked now Apple, so you can get first rights to 2nm, and can design 2nm M5 or M6 chips.

 

[roundski]

must be for the May 2026 ipad pros, should have the m4 ultra mac studio out by then!

 

[SmugMaverick]

Great, I was worried Siri wouldn't have the power it needs to give even more stupid answers and be completely useless.

MORE Power is not something iPhone or iPad need right now, iOS and iPadOS need major overhauls and improvements.

 

[johnsc3]

Next Apple CEO?

Kinda seems like he pulled a play, right from Tim’s playbook.

 

[Populus]

The headline makes it sound like Jeff Williams put on Navy SEAL gear, landed on Taiwan in a secret submarine and broke into the TSMC factory to steal a metal suitcase full of 2nm chips.

Totally. And then takes his mask off… and guess who is it?

Spoiler

EDIT: @mystery hill beat me to it!

 

[Kierkegaarden]

The headline makes it sound like Jeff Williams put on Navy SEAL gear, landed on Taiwan in a secret submarine and broke into the TSMC factory to steal a metal suitcase full of 2nm chips.

Man, you’ve got a wild imagination!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Great, I was worried Siri wouldn't have the power it needs to give even more stupid answers and be completely useless.

Hush your mouth! The new Siri 2 will sound so much smarter...

"I don't know what you mean by <topic>. Here's what my AI spatial machine learning analysis discovered in my magical wheelhouse: the web and hybrid iCloud PRO MAX slim."

 

[jb310]

2nm chips? Browsing MacRumors is going to be extremely snappy now.

 

[defunder]

Was the iPhone 15 Pro 3nm power consumption and efficiency not a flop?

The reviews pointing out the flaws seemed conclusive.

 

[Tagbert]

I'm surprised Apple needs to head over to secure capacity. I mean, money talks, and Apple isn't exactly shy with their wallet when it comes to TSMC.

That headline puts a dramatic spin on the "mission" that is not supported by the article.

 

[HouseLannister]

Still waiting on a 3nm Ultra chip. Based on last week's rumors, I am guessing we get a 3nm M5 Max for the Studio and Mac Pro in 2025, but it is questionable if the Ultra still exists in their roadmap since they skipped at least one gen already. 2nm probably around M6 or so?

 

[AppleFan735]

I'm surprised Apple needs to head over to secure capacity. I mean, money talks, and Apple isn't exactly shy with their wallet when it comes to TSMC.

I think Apple is the kind of company that likes to do things in-person. Since Apple is also against keeping meeting minutes for their exec team, an in-person visit is the only way to not leave any digital paper trail for any potential future lawsuits accusing Apple of things like using their market share to engage in anti-competitive behaviours.