Apple's Chipmaker TSMC Announces Plan to Build Arizona Factory - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple's Chipmaker TSMC Announces Plan to Build Arizona Factory

Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC today announced its intention to build and operate an advanced semiconductor factory in Arizona, with construction planned to start in 2021 and production targeted to begin in 2024.

a13 chip video
The facility will be able to manufacture around 20,000 wafers per month using TSMC's latest 5-nanometer fabrication process. TSMC has been gradually miniaturizing its process over the years, going from a 16nm A10 chip in iPhone 7 models to a 7nm A13 chip in iPhone 11 models. iPhone 12 models are expected to use a 5nm A14 chip.

TSMC estimates that its total spending on this project, including capital expenditure, will be approximately $12 billion from 2021 to 2029, with the facility expected to create over 1,600 high-tech professional jobs directly.

TSMC already operates a factory in Camas, Washington and design centers in both Austin, Texas and San Jose, California, so the Arizona facility would be its second manufacturing site in the United States. The company's main factories are in Taiwan.

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 MacBook Pro M4 hero

Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro

Friday May 1, 2026 3:43 pm PDT by
Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026, but depending on your needs and interests, you might want to skip this generation because there's something better in the works. The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models have faster chips, but the same design that Apple has used since 2021. An updated design with new display technology and faster ...

Top Rated Comments

I7guy Avatar
78 months ago
Now there needs to be a factory to assemble the phones in North America.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FlyBry Avatar
78 months ago

This facility had better be able to produce more than 20k chips per month, otherwise I’d say the investment is not worth it. Even if they’re missing a zero in the number, making 200k units per month is such a paltry amount - what Apple product would that even support annually?
20K Wafers - not chips. Wafers and chips come in different sizes which affects yield.

Each 300mm wafer has around 14,500 chips. Maybe 70% will be usable.
https://caly-technologies.com/die-yield-calculator/
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pweicks Avatar
78 months ago
Everyone on here talkin bout wafers... y’all got me hungry!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
78 months ago
Important to have a chip factory in the USA.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
calzon65 Avatar
78 months ago
At least this is a start to seeing a more diversified supply chain with some manufacturing in the USA.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago

Is it just me or does 20,000 chips per month seem pretty small?
I thought so as well. The original press release says wafers not chips.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: World News | Local News | Mac | Politics | Motoring