Apple Snags TSMC’s 2nm Chips; Samsung Advances to 1.4nm

I still find it hard to believe that 3 nm chipsets are a reality, and manufacturers are not stopping there.

Reports indicate that Apple has secured a supply of 2 nm chips from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), while Samsung Foundry is gearing up to manufacture even smaller chips.

It appears that all major smartphone manufacturers are preparing to transition to 2 nm chipsets. Apple is rumored to intend to use these system-on-chips (SOCs) in the iPhone 17, although this might be limited to the Pro models.

Additionally, Google may incorporate TSMC’s 2 nm chipsets in the Pixel 11 series in 2026, provided Apple doesn’t use up the entire supply. Meanwhile, Samsung plans to begin utilizing its own 2 nm chips next year.

While Apple and Google are looking to upgrade from their current chips, Samsung is already looking further ahead. According to industry reports, Samsung Foundry aims to produce 1.4 nm chips by 2027, which means that your Galaxy S27 could be powered by the smallest chipsets ever created.

What’s all the commotion about smaller being better? The answer is straightforward: efficiency.

A smaller chip is generally more energy-efficient due to its compact design. It consumes less power, produces less heat, costs less to manufacture, and can achieve higher density, allowing for greater power within the same physical space.

However, while Samsung plans to produce 1.4 nm chips, it’s still uncertain how effective they will be. The company’s Exynos processors have frequently been viewed as inferior to their Snapdragon counterparts.

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In fact, Samsung switched all its S23 Ultra phones to Snapdragon in every market, a move that was previously limited to select regions. Additionally, Samsung Foundry is facing challenges with production yield, which is one reason Qualcomm decided to transition to TSMC. Reports suggest that the situation has not improved significantly.

Regardless of whether it’s 2 nm or 1.4 nm, I believe we are approaching a point of diminishing returns soon. Even the current 3 nm chips are impressive feats of engineering and power some of the best smartphones available today. I just hope that when Samsung eventually returns to Exynos, it proves to be worthwhile.