TSMC invests $25 billion in 5nm plant, hopes to be Apple's sole chip supplier
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd is investing a lot of money in 5 nanometer node technology and hopes to retain its sole supplier status for Apple's A-series chips.
Image source: TSMC
Even though TSMC has begun the mass production of Apple's next generation A12 chipsets, the chipmaker is working hard to retain its edge over the competition.
According to Reuters, TSMC said that it expects to invest $25 billion in 5 nanometer node technology although no timeline is provided for the investment. In December 2016, TSMC announced plans to build a US$15.7 billion foundry to actively focus on next-generation 5nm and 3nm process nodes.
The Commercial Times reported in January 2017 that TSMC was looking to produce 5nm chips by 2020. The timeline was reportedly brought forward to Q1 2019 based on a press release by TSMC in October 2017.
TSMC has been supplying A-series chipsets for Apple since 2015 and it is obvious that the company wants to maintain its status as Apple's sole supplier.
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