TSMC began taking orders for 2nm wafers this month at about $30,000 each. Companies like Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek face difficult choices with these high costs. They need cutting-edge technology, but might pass these expenses to phone makers. Future devices using next-generation chips will likely cost more because of this situation.
Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek can avoid raising prices this year because they still use TSMC's third-generation 3nm process. Digital Chat Station mentioned on Weibo that increased production costs will force these companies to charge more for their chipsets later. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes only iPhone 18 Pro models will feature 2nm chips due to high wafer costs. The standard iPhone 18 will use older technology.
Qualcomm reportedly develops two 2nm chipsets for 2026, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3. The company explores using Samsung facilities alongside TSMC to reduce supply risks. MediaTek could gain market share by pricing its upcoming Dimensity 9600 lower than competitors. TSMC might eventually reduce prices as production scales up despite current high estimates.
Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek can avoid raising prices this year because they still use TSMC's third-generation 3nm process. Digital Chat Station mentioned on Weibo that increased production costs will force these companies to charge more for their chipsets later. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes only iPhone 18 Pro models will feature 2nm chips due to high wafer costs. The standard iPhone 18 will use older technology.
Qualcomm reportedly develops two 2nm chipsets for 2026, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3. The company explores using Samsung facilities alongside TSMC to reduce supply risks. MediaTek could gain market share by pricing its upcoming Dimensity 9600 lower than competitors. TSMC might eventually reduce prices as production scales up despite current high estimates.
