According to Digitimes, Apple, Qualcomm, MediaTek and other mobile phone SoC manufacturers will launch flagship mobile phone SoC products in the second half of the year, which will fully adopt TSMC N3E process with higher technical specifications, and the performance will be significantly improved, of which Apple's A18 processor will surpass the M4 processor. According to reports, Apple's iPhone 16 series is about to pull goods, and the full range of products is expected to be equipped with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process N3E. The supply chain revealed that Apple has increased the size of orders for A18 chips.
Analysts said that although Nvidia has accepted TSMC's 2025 4nm wafer price increase of about 10%, Apple's 3nm wafer price will remain unchanged next year, mainly due to the continuous cooperation between the two sides in Angstrom chips, TSMC will give preferential prices, and the pricing of other customers' wafers may be determined at the end of the third quarter.
N3E Wafer Process: A Breakthrough in Technology and Cost
As TSMC's second-generation technology in the 3nm field, the N3E wafer process has achieved a breakthrough in both technology and cost compared with its predecessor. At the technical level, the N3E achieves higher transistor density and faster switching speed by optimizing the transistor structure and improving the precision of the manufacturing process. This means that chips using the N3E process can provide more powerful performance output at the same power consumption, bringing users a smoother and faster experience. At the same time, N3E also pays attention to the improvement of stability and reliability to ensure that the chip can maintain excellent performance in long-term operation.
In terms of cost, the N3E process is more cost-effective than the original N3B process. This is mainly due to the maturity of the manufacturing process and the improvement of production efficiency, which makes the production cost of chips reduced. For mobile phone manufacturers, this can not only reduce cost pressure, but also invest more resources in product research and development and innovation, bringing more competitive products to consumers.
Figure: In the second half of the year, the flagship mobile phone SoC chip will fully adopt the N3E wafer process
A comprehensive upgrade of the SoC chip of the flagship mobile phone
In response to the growing consumer demand for mobile phone performance and energy efficiency, mobile phone manufacturers have responded by applying the N3E wafer process to flagship mobile phone SoC chips. From Apple to Qualcomm, to MediaTek and other mobile phone SoC manufacturers, they have announced that they will use N3E process chips in their flagship products launched in the second half of the year. This decision not only reflects the manufacturer's pursuit of technological progress and keen insight into market trends, but also highlights the important position of the N3E process in the field of smartphones.
Take Apple as an example, its upcoming iPhone 16 series is expected to be equipped with A-series chips based on the N3E process. With its excellent performance and energy efficiency ratio, this chip will bring users an unprecedented experience. Whether you're tackling complex graphics tasks, running big games, or making long video calls, you can handle them with ease and enjoy a seamless experience.
Market impact and future outlook
The full application of the N3E wafer process in flagship mobile phone SoC chips will have a profound impact on the entire smartphone market. First of all, it will promote the further improvement of mobile phone performance and meet consumer demand for high-quality mobile phone products. Secondly, as more manufacturers adopt this technology, the market competition will become more intense, promoting technological progress and innovation throughout the industry. In addition, the popularization of the N3E process will also drive the development of related industrial chains and inject new vitality into the semiconductor industry.
