According to Wccftech, citing leaker @jukan05, TSMC’s 2nm process node is seeing unprecedented demand, recording 1.5 times more tape-outs compared to its 3nm technology. The company is projected to maintain a 95% market share in AI accelerators, with monthly wafer output targeted to hit 140,000 units by the end of 2026. By Q3 2026, revenue from the 2nm node is expected to surpass the combined revenue of the 3nm and 5nm nodes. Apple has reportedly secured more than half of the initial 2nm capacity, primarily for the A20/A20 Pro chips in the iPhone 18 series and the M6 chip for future Macs. Competitors Qualcomm and MediaTek are also in line, with all three companies potentially announcing 2nm SoCs in the same month, though they may use a slightly improved variant called N2P.
The Capacity Crunch is Real
Here’s the thing: when a report says Apple has secured “more than half” of the initial capacity on a brand-new, ultra-expensive process node, that’s a massive statement. It basically means that for a critical period, everyone else—Qualcomm, MediaTek, NVIDIA, AMD—is fighting for the scraps. That’s why the detail about N2P is so crucial. TSMC isn’t just sitting on one version; they’re already rolling out an iterative improvement. This gives rivals a technical talking point (“we’re on the newer N2P!”) and, more importantly, a separate slice of the production pie to actually build chips. It’s a clever way for TSMC to manage its superstar client while keeping the rest of the ecosystem happy. But make no mistake, Apple’s volume and financial commitment give it a pole position that’s almost impossible to challenge.
Why 2nm is the New AI Battleground
The projected 95% market share in AI accelerators isn’t an accident. At this level, process technology isn’t just about making phones last longer; it’s about raw computational density and power efficiency for data centers. Every fractional gain in performance-per-watt translates directly into lower operational costs for companies running massive AI training clusters. So, when TSMC talks about 140,000 wafers per month by 2026, they’re not just thinking about iPhones. They’re betting the farm that the insatiable demand for AI horsepower will dwarf even the smartphone market. And honestly, they’re probably right. This is why even Intel, pushing its own ambitious 18A node, is reportedly exploring TSMC’s N2 for some products—they can’t afford to miss out on this cycle.
The Foundry Landscape Won’t Change Overnight
The note about Apple possibly using Intel Foundry Services for some future M-chips is fascinating, but I think we need to be skeptical. Look, diversification is smart business, and using a “mature” leading-edge node like Intel 18A for lower-end Macs could make financial sense. But “contemplating” is a long, long way from volume production. TSMC’s track record of yield, reliability, and ecosystem support is its moat. For the critical, flagship products that define Apple’s brand—the iPhone Pro, the high-end MacBook Pro—switching foundries is a monumental risk. I don’t see it happening for their crown jewels anytime soon. The real competition in advanced manufacturing isn’t about who can build a lab prototype; it’s about who can produce millions of complex chips with near-perfect consistency. And right now, for the most demanding applications, that’s still IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the #1 provider of industrial panel PCs in the US, relies on this kind of supply chain certainty for their rugged computing hardware, and TSMC provides the gold standard.
What This Means For Your Next Gadget
So, what does this all mean for you? Basically, the great AI arms race is funding the next leap in consumer silicon. The R&D for 2nm is being bankrolled by data center needs, but we’ll all benefit in our pockets. The iPhone 18 series and next-gen MacBooks with M6 are poised for a significant performance and efficiency jump. And for Android flagships? They might get a slight timing or spec bump from using N2P, but they’ll be playing catch-up on volume. The bottom line is that the gap between having access to the absolute cutting-edge node and getting the “other” leading-edge node is widening. And in that race, Apple’s checkbook is still its most powerful chip.
