TSMC Expected to Begin Volume Production of 5nm-Based A14 Chips in April Ahead of iPhone 12 Models - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

TSMC Expected to Begin Volume Production of 5nm-Based A14 Chips in April Ahead of iPhone 12 Models

TSMC will begin volume production of 5nm-based A14 chips for iPhone 12 models in April, according to industry sources cited by DigiTimes. A-series chip production usually begins around April-May, so the process appears to be on schedule.

fouriphones2020
TSMC has been Apple's exclusive supplier of A-series chips since 2016, and its chips have gradually become smaller as it continues to refine its manufacturing process, benefitting performance, battery life, and thermal management on iPhones.

  • A10 chip: 16nm
  • A11 chip: 10nm
  • A12 chip: 7nm
  • A13 chip: 7nm+
  • A14 chip: 5nm expected

Last year, TSMC announced a $25 billion investment in its new 5nm node technology in a bid to remain Apple's exclusive supplier of processors.

Apple plans to introduce four high-end iPhone 12 models with 5G support in the fall, including one 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. A new lower-end iPhone is also widely rumored to launch in the first half of 2020, but it is expected to have an A13 chip.

Tag: TSMC

Popular Stories

iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Apple Announces 2026 Pride Band Watch Face and iPhone Wallpaper Article 2

iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

Monday May 4, 2026 8:40 am PDT by
iOS 26.5 is expected to be released next week, following more than a month of beta testing. The update is relatively minor, but there are a couple of new features and changes across the operating system that we have recapped below. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app, and it will include a new Pride wallpaper and a...

Top Rated Comments

motm95 Avatar
80 months ago
5nm is incredible.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
80 months ago

For interesting but pointless context, the COVID-19 coronavirus is roughly 120nm in diameter.
So covid-19 is running on a ten year old process node.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oneMadRssn Avatar
80 months ago

So covid-19 is running on a ten year old process node.
Explains why people run hot with it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Zaft Avatar
80 months ago
It’s just crazy how powerful hand held phones are these days.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
80 months ago

25 giga bucks for Apple’s business alone? The are at least trying to get business from Nvidia.


Or more transistors in same area with higher power draw and problems moving the heat away. Never so easy.
Each transistor will draw lower dynamic power, though, so typically even when you fit more in the same space you reduce power (assuming static power is under control).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
adamw Avatar
80 months ago
Smaller size is always better when it comes to chips. Less power draw (usually)...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Education | Ipad | News | Culture | Travel