TSMC expects to mass-produce A14 processor for iPhone 12 next month

According to media reports in Taiwan, TSMC will mass-produce the 5nm A14 processor for Apple's next-generation smartphone iPhone 12 in April this year.

The production of A-series chips usually begins in April or May, so this means that TSMC's mass production of the A14 processor is proceeding as scheduled and is not affected by other factors.

TSMC has been the exclusive supplier of Apple's "A-series" processors since 2016. The A10 processor in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus uses a 16-nanometer process, while the A11 processor in the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X uses a 10-nanometer process.

The 2018 A12 processor uses a 7-nanometer process, while last year's A13 processor uses a 7-nanometer process + extreme ultraviolet lithography process. This year, TSMC will use 5-nanometer technology to produce the A14 processor.

Last year, TSMC announced a $25 billion investment in 5nm manufacturing technology to remain the exclusive supplier of its "A-series" processors.

According to well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will release four iPhone 12 models that support 5G standards this fall, including a 5.4-inch iPhone, two 6.1-inch models, and a 6.7-inch model.

In addition, Apple is likely to release a new low-end model iPhone SE2 in the first half of this year, but this product is likely to use the A13 processor.