For the first time, TSMC reveals what will follow the 2nm node

For the first time, TSMC reveals what will follow the 2nm node،

Remember when buying a smartphone was an easy task? These days, to be a smart consumer, you not only need to know the name of the application processor (AP) that runs a device, but you also need to know which foundry produced the chip and the process node used. And then, after getting all this information, you can try to find out how many transistors are in this chipset. Does the chip have a configuration that makes it susceptible to overheating?

And the cameras on this phone that you are observing? Who makes the sensors behind the camera? And don't forget the importance of the modem (like Google did with the Pixel 6 Pro). Is your phone using a Qualcomm Snapdragon modem or a modem from another company? And we haven't even discussed storage and memory or even battery.

The answers to these questions can mean the difference between buying a phone that's perfect for you or one that might not be right for you. Do you need a powerful phone? Do you need one with great battery life? Or are you focusing on cameras (pun clearly intended) or AI features?

From the A8 bionic 20 nm (2018) to the current A17 Pro 3 nm, the number of transistors has increased from 4.3 billion to 19 billion.

The 20nm A11 Bionic Powered 2017's iPhone 8 Lineup and Carried 4.3 Billion Transistors - For the First Time, TSMC Reveals What's Next for the 2nm Node

The 20nm A11 bionic powered the 2017 iPhone 8 lineup and carried 4.3 billion transistors

We've often talked about why phone enthusiasts like to know things like the number of transistors inside a chip, known as the transistor count. It all goes back to the process node the foundry uses to build the chip. The lower the number (for example, 3nm is less than 5nm), the smaller the size of the transistors. Smaller transistors mean there can be more of them inside a chip, increasing the number of transistors. The higher the number of transistors, the more powerful and energy efficient a chip.

TSMC, for the first time, reveals that its 1.4nm node will follow that of 2nm

The 1.4nm process node will be called A14 by TSMC and although the foundry has not publicly announced a date for when it might begin high volume manufacturing (HVM) at 1.4nm, based on the outlook current for 2nm, we could be looking at 2027 or 2028 before TSMC starts HVM on this node.

It is expected that the transistors used with the A14 will remain of the GAA (Gate-All-Around) type which covers the channel on all four sides to reduce current leakage and increase the drive current. This results in more powerful chips with lower power consumption. TSMC will start using GAA transistors with its 2nm production while Samsung Foundry is already using them on its 3nm chips.

Of course, as with any road map, getting from point “A” to point “B” seems like a simple task, without any issues that could cause a delay. But anything can happen, especially when it comes to something as complex as integrated circuits. Some have called the creation of the chip one of man's most important discoveries. And now we're at the point where continuing to make these components faster, more energy efficient and, yes, even smaller, is putting a strain on the brains of the smartest people on the planet. For now, the journey continues.