2022 iPhones and Macs May Feature 3nm Chips

The 2022 iPhones and Macs may feature chips built on the 3nm process, as Apple's leading chip supplier, TSMC, is planning to begin mass production for ‌3nm‌ chips destined for Apple in the second half of next year, according to a preview of an upcoming report by DigiTimes.

3nm apple silicon feature
The paywalled preview of the full report, which will be published tomorrow, reads:

TSMC is on track to move its 3nm process technology to volume production in the second half of 2022 for Apple's devices, either iPhones or Mac computers, according to industry sources.

Earlier in June, TSMC was reportedly beefing up capacity to begin production of 3nm chips, but ‌DigiTimes‌ at the time refrained from mentioning Apple as a potential initial beneficiary of the new process. Today's preview directly means that just two years after unveiling chips based on the 5nm process, Apple may plan to make a direct jump to ‌3nm‌ as soon as next year.

Apple has already reportedly booked TSMC's entire production capacity for 4nm chips for Apple silicon Macs. That report, however, has no timeline as to when Macs with 4nm chips may debut.

The A14 Bionic chip, first introduced in an updated iPad Air and later put into the iPhone 12 series, is built on the 5nm process. Compared to earlier processes, the smaller architecture provides improved performance and increased energy efficiency. For this year's ‌iPhone‌, Apple will use an enhanced version of the 5nm process.

The full report tomorrow is likely to offer more color surrounding Apple's plan to roll out chips built on the ‌3nm‌ process. We'll be sure to let MacRumors' readers know if the new report shares anything of significance.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
59 months ago
Basically speaking,

2022 iPhones and Macs will be better than 2021 iPhones and Macs
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mongobongo Avatar
59 months ago
You should probably know that:

“The term "3 nanometer" has no relation to any actual physical feature (such as gate length, metal pitch or gate pitch) of the transistors. It is a commercial or marketing term used by the chip fabrication industry to refer to a new, improved generation of silicon semiconductor chips in terms of increased transistor density, increased speed and reduced power consumption.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_nm_process
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Serban55 Avatar
59 months ago

So.. where does it end? 1nm? .5nm? It never ends?
I’m not sure will we ever have 1nm physical dimension transistor using current tech. 3nm manufacturer BS is already very problematic. At those levels (5nm and bellow) quantum effects are very problematic. There is a “way around” and is called GAA - gate all around. GAA will be first used by Samsung, then Intel while TSMC still stays on FinFET. Next step will be nano-sheet and nano-wire GAA transistors.

At physical 1nm are enormous problems. Si atoms are 0.2 - 0.3 nm in diameter what means whole transistor will be 3 - 4 atoms what’s impossible cause MOSFET consists of Drain, Source and channel between. So, each will be single atom.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macintoshmac Avatar
59 months ago
I’m waiting for 0nm.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
raccoontail Avatar
59 months ago
So long as this enables apple to make thinner computers, particularly desktops, I'll be happy.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
59 months ago

So long as this enables apple to make thinner computers, particularly desktops, I'll be happy.
Mac's are already thin enough though.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)