Source: Wall Street See
Author: Li Xiaoyin.

Tech journalist Tim Culpan reported on Monday local time that $Apple (AAPL.US)$ has produced the first batch of A16 chips using the 4nm process at its factory in Arizona, USA.

Although the current output is small, according to reports citing insider information:

"Once the second part of the factory's first phase is completed and production begins, the output will increase significantly, and it is expected that the project will reach its production target in the first half of 2025."

The Apple A16 chip first appeared in the iPhone 14 Pro two years ago. Reports indicate that this is the first time the A16 chip has been produced in the USA, which may mean that Apple plans to gradually shift the production of advanced mobile processors to domestically.

Taiwan Semiconductor's foundry in Arizona has been under construction for many years, with the project's planning dating back to 2020. According to the plan, Taiwan Semiconductor intends to invest a total of $65 billion in Arizona, with the first factory in the state scheduled to start production by the end of this year.

Due to a revenue decline in 2023, Taiwan Semiconductor has revised down its expectations and delayed production in Arizona. In April this year, Taiwan Semiconductor announced in a press release that the first wafer fab in Arizona is expected to start using the 4nm process for production in the first half of 2025.

It is currently unclear which Apple devices the A16 chips produced at the Arizona factory will be installed in. Culpan speculates that Apple's current production is primarily a trial run for the factory, with more output expected in the coming months, and this batch of chips may ultimately be used in the latest iPad or next generation iPhone SE.

Taiwan Semiconductor spokesperson Nina Kao responded in the report:

"The Arizona project is progressing as planned, proceeding smoothly."

Editor/rice