Six months ago, few would have predicted this turnaround. For over two years, TSMC’s Arizona semiconductor fabrication plant faced significant challenges. The facility struggled with skilled labor shortages, prolonged negotiations with labor unions, and delays in establishing a supportive local regulatory framework.
Originally scheduled to commence operations nearly a year ago, the fab’s start was repeatedly pushed back. Now, those setbacks appear to be behind TSMC. The Arizona plant isn’t only nearing full-scale production but has also achieved promising early results.
Apple Begins Testing Arizona-Made Chips
The Arizona fab specializes in producing chips using the N4 lithography, a member of TSMC’s 5nm FinFET family. While the N4P process offers enhanced performance, the current focus is on manufacturing the A16 SoC and S9 SiP, crucial components for Apple’s iPhones and Apple Watches. This plant is just the beginning of TSMC’s investment in Arizona. By 2028, a second facility is set to produce chips at the advanced N3 (3nm) and N2 (2nm) nodes. A third fab, dedicated to N2 technology, is planned to be operational by the decade’s end.
The N4 and N4P lithographies are part of TSMC’s 5nm FinFET family of integration technologies.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Arizona fab may also contribute to AMD’s new Ryzen 9000 processors. Semiconductor journalist Tim Culpan recently confirmed that Apple has begun testing the first batch of Arizona-produced A16 SoCs and S9 SiPs. The second, a derivative of the A16, is tailored for the Apple Watch as part of Apple’s Systems-in-Package (SiP) technology.
While the Arizona facility remains in the testing phase, TSMC plans to begin high-volume production in the first quarter of 2025. Apple has already reviewed initial processors from the fab, and once approved, large-scale manufacturing will follow.
The critical question remains: How will the yield per wafer from this Arizona fab compare to TSMC’s more established facilities in Taiwan? As TSMC resolves early hurdles and ramps up production, all eyes will be on Phoenix to see if the “made in Arizona” chips meet the same high standards the industry has come to expect.
Image | TSMC
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