TSMC Holds $1 Billion in Apple 2nm Wafers as DRAM Shortage Threatens iPhone 18 Pro Supply
Apple's A20 Pro chips for upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models are ready but await DRAM, potentially impacting launch timelines as standard models are delayed to 2027.
- Apple is expected to focus its upcoming September event on the Pro and Pro Max, as reports indicate the standard, budget-focused, and second-generation Air models have been delayed until early 2027.
- Leaks suggest the Pro lineup will feature the Apple A20 Pro chipset, manufactured with a 2nm process on TSMC, alongside an upgraded 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with variable aperture capability.
- The Pro Max is set to feature a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display and a battery increase of almost 10%, which may result in a slightly heavier and thicker device.
- Fresh color choices including Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver will accompany a redesigned MagSafe Ceramic Shield, while the new wireless chip promises increased speed and energy efficiency.
- Apple's first foldable model is also expected to debut during this year's event, likely announced alongside the updated Pro lineup to headline the company's fall hardware showcase.
17 Articles
17 Articles
TSMC Holds $1 Billion in Apple 2nm Wafers as DRAM Shortage Threatens iPhone 18 Pro Supply
TSMC has roughly $1 billion worth of finished A20 Pro wafers sitting idle. The chips sit there because the mobile DRAM needed to package them has not arrived. This bottleneck, reported first by analyst Tim Culpan in his Culpium newsletter, comes just weeks before the expected launch of the iPhone 18 series and a new foldable iPhone Ultra. Production of the A20 Pro on TSMC’s N2 2-nanometer process node has gone well. Yields look strong. Volumes a…
TSMC reportedly has $1 billion of Apple chips awaiting delivery of DRAM — will this be what powers the iPhone 18 Pro?
TSMC reportedly holding roughly $1 billion of finished A20 Pro wafers that cannot be packaged because the DRAM they must be integrated with has not yet arrivedThe bottleneck exists because Apple moved the A20 Pro to TSMC's WMCM packaging, which bonds processor and memory at the wafer level, removing the option of stockpiling finished dies and adding memory laterThe launch is not expected to slip but could mean that post-launch inventory could be…
Kuo pours water on rumor of $1B Apple chip stockpile at TSMC
Market rumors claim TSMC is holding onto a billion-dollar stockpile of Apple chips due to not having enough memory to complete packaging. However, a prominent analyst doubts it to be the case.TSMC is the chip foundry responsible for the upcoming A20The persisting memory supply crisis has caused problems with the supply chain, in both sourcing chips for products and in paying high prices for them too. While there is certainly a crisis at hand, no…
Waiting For The iPhone 18 Pro? Here Are 5 Upgrades That Could Make It Worth The Upgrade
The wait for Apple's next flagship iPhones may soon be over. While the company has not confirmed a launch date, its usual release timeline suggests the new models could debut in early September, with multiple reports pointing to an event between September 7 and September 9. The iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to debut with Apple's next-generation A20 Pro processor, reportedly based on TSMC's 2nm process. The new chip could deliver better speed,…
The Independent
The Independent (US)iPhone 18 Pro could face shortages amid RAM crisis, here’s what to know
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch this September. Here’s what to know about release date, price, specs, battery and more
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