The 2nm Revolution: How Apple and TSMC are Changing the Way Chips are Built

Apple is getting ready for a huge jump in speed with the iPhone 18. Recent reports suggest the new A20 chip will use a tiny 2nm design. To make this work, Apple is switching to a new way of building chips called WMCM. This move is all about making the phone faster while preventing it from getting too hot during heavy use.

The new WMCM setup is a game-changer for how phones work. Instead of just one chip doing everything, this method lets different parts sit right next to each other on a single layer. The main processor, the memory, and the data chips can talk to each other almost instantly. Because they are so close, the phone uses less energy and stays much cooler. It is a smarter way to build high-tech hardware.

This new tech is not just for your pocket. Apple plans to bring these 2nm chips to MacBooks and their vision headsets, too. Since almost every major Apple device will eventually use this system, the need for these parts will be massive. This is part of a bigger plan to make sure all their gear stays at the top of the pack when it comes to battery life and raw speed.

To keep up with Apple, the factory giant TSMC is spending a lot of money. They're beefing up existing plants and throwing up new ones just for this gig. Experts figure they'll crank out 60,000 wafers a month by end of '26. Come 2027, that doubles. Shows how balls-to-the-wall the industry's going on this 2nm tech.

TSMC is even turning older factories into specialised shops to help build these complex parts. One plant in Tainan is being totally overhauled just to handle the new packaging process. Later this month, the company will open its newest factory to the media for the first time. This gives us a sneak peek at the exact place where the brains of the next generation of gadgets will be born.