TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Apple has almost finished verifying its first advanced chips from TSMC’s Arizona fab, Nikkei Asia reported Tuesday.
TSMC has already completed testing, but Apple is conducting its own test to make sure the chips are similar to the chipmaker’s advanced fab in Tainan, industry sources said. The first batch could be ready as early as Q1.
TSMC has been using Apple’s A16 Bionic iPhone processor as a benchmark for its chips produced in the US. After verification, it will take three months for them to enter mass production.
Industry sources also said AMD and Nvidia are also running wafer test production at TSMC's Arizona fab. However, chips produced in the US will still need to be sent back to Taiwan for advanced chip packaging until TSMC’s partner Amkor completes its packaging facility in Arizona.