According to a fresh rumor from Nikkei Asia, TSMC's improved 3nm process known as N3E would be used to produce Apple's upcoming M3 processor for Macs and A17 chip for iPhone 15 Pro models in 2019. We anticipate the release of these gadgets all through the year 2023.
The study claims that compared to TSMC's first-generation 3nm technology, N3, N3E will provide superior performance and power efficiency.
Still, the rumor indicates that Apple would use TSMC‘s first-generation 3nm technology for some of the forthcoming iPad chips. This source does not specify which iPad models it is talking to, but speculations have it that Apple will update the iPad Pro next month with the M2 processor, which is made using TSMC's second-generation 5nm technology. Later this year, Apple is also rumored to release a new cheaper iPad that utilizes the older A14 processor.
According to the source, 2023 may be the second year in a row that Apple's newest chip is exclusive to the Pro variants of the new iPhone lineup. While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come standard with the A15 chip, Apple announced the iPhone 14 Pro this week, which features an A16 chip built on TSMC's 4nm technology.