The inaugural US facility for manufacturing A-series chips for Apple products is anticipated to commence mass production as soon as this quarter, according to a recent report.
This suggests that TSMC has initiated test production, with Apple reportedly in the final phase of validating the chips created in Arizona …
‘Made in America’ Apple Chips
Apple initially revealed its ambition for ‘Made in America’ chips in 2022, a development celebrated as a significant success under the US CHIPS Act. This government subsidy program aims to reduce US reliance on China for advanced chip supplies while creating jobs for American workers.
The initiative involves constructing a series of TSMC chip manufacturing plants in Arizona, with a portion of the production designated for Apple chips for older models.
Mass production was originally slated to launch in 2024, but the project experienced delays, shifting the timeline to this year. Furthermore, the production of smaller-process 2nm chips has been postponed until 2028.
There were assertions that the initial plant would be ineffective, as its output would need to return to Taiwan for the ‘packaging’ process, where different circuit boards are integrated into a single chip. Apple later announced plans to commission an additional facility in the US for chip packaging.
The hiring practices at TSMC have sparked controversy, with many workers being brought from Taiwan instead of utilizing local talent. The company initially claimed this was a temporary measure during the construction phase, but this assertion was questioned when the situation persisted last year. A lawsuit has been filed accusing the company of “anti-American discrimination.”
First US Plant Nearly Ready for Mass Production
A brief report from Nikkei indicates that test production is already completed, with mass production expected to commence shortly.
Apple is in the final stage of verifying its first “made in America” advanced processor chips from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s facility in Arizona. The first batch of commercially mass-produced chips is anticipated as early as this quarter, following the completion of quality assurance processes, according to sources familiar with the situation.
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