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Instead of waiting for the chip to be introduced as part of the M3, Apple Silicon may move to a 3 nanometer manufacturing process during the production of the M2, the report claims.
With the launch of Apple’s first second-generation Apple silicon chip, the M2 was built using a 5-nanometer process similar to the M1 lineup. In Monday’s report, it is believed that not all of the M2 range will be created using 5 nanometer technology.
Apple has reportedly reserved chip partner TSMC for 3nm production line capacity. DigiTimes.. It’s not entirely unexpected that Apple will do so, but the report adds that it will be used in Apple’s upcoming M2 Pro chip and its final M3 lineup.
Mass production of 3nm chips by TSMC is expected to begin in the second half of 2022. Chip makers are also investing heavily in new equipment to drive production of 3 nanometers.
TSMC’s 3nm process offers Apple multiple benefits, including a 15% increase in speed at the same power level as chips manufactured using the 5nm process, or a 30% reduction in power consumption at comparable speeds.
This move is really useful for M2 Pro and is probably a follow-up chip like the Max or Ultra version, but switching processes in the middle of a generation is a very rare move for businesses. Since the M1 lineup is built entirely using similar technology, it is expected that Apple will do the same for the M2 and leave major changes for a generational leap.
It also means that the MacBook Pro with the chip will not arrive until 2023.