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TSMC said to use 4nm technology to mass produce Apple's 5G modem

By Cookie Monster - on 25 Nov 2021, 12:00am

TSMC said to use 4nm technology to mass produce Apple's 5G modem

Image source: MacRumours

TSMC is reportedly helping Apple to mass produce its 5G modems with its 4nm chip production technology.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia that Apple is planning to use TSMC's 4nm process to build its first custom-designed 5G modem chip. In addition, Apple is working on its own radio frequency and millimeter wave components for the 5G modem. The iPhone maker is also developing its own power management chip for the modem. 

DigiTimes recently said that Apple may use a standalone radio modem with the next-generation processor. For future versions of the 5G modem, Apple is said to have plans to integrate it with the mobile processor which will offer the iPhone maker more control of its hardware and improve the power efficiency.

For design and testing purposes, TSMC will be building the 5G modem on its 5nm chip production technology. For mass production, TSMC will use the more advanced 4nm technology. However, mass production is not expected to start until 2023.

Earlier this year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple could use its own 5G modem in 2023 "at the earliest". Qualcomm revealed a few days ago that it expects to supply only 20% of Apple's modem chips in 2023.

Source: Nikkei Asia

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