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TSMC's Arizona facility is set to begin 4nm chip production in 2025, producing 20,000 wafers monthly. Despite its pivotal role in the US semiconductor industry, costs are expected to be 30% higher than in Taiwan, raising concerns for major clients like Apple and Nvidia.
Arizona Facility Signals TSMC's Global Expansion
Next year, TSMC's Arizona factory will begin manufacturing. A lot has changed for the Taiwanese behemoth since the passing of the CHIPS Act, including TSMC's construction of one of the largest overseas facilities.
According to a source from Yonhap, a Korean media outlet, TSMC's 4nm process would reportedly be manufactured at their Arizona facility in the Phase 1 (1A) plant region. However, clients in the US should be aware that production prices in Arizona are projected to be 30% more than in Taiwan.
Major Tech Companies Among Key Clients
The Arizona factory is said to have an initial monthly wafer production capacity of 20,000 units, with Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm being the main customers, according to the article.
In Phase 2, TSMC intends to mass-produce 2 nm in 2028, however this is currently uncertain, particularly in light of the difficulties surrounding "technology transfer" between the US and Taiwan. Despite rumors that the facility will be in charge of 4 nm manufacturing, this is only a Phase 1 plan.
Arizona's Higher Production Costs Raise Concerns
The fact that customers will allegedly pay substantially extra to have TSMC's products made at their Arizona factory rather than imported from Taiwan is another intriguing aspect brought up here.
Rumor has said that TSMC's Arizona production costs will be 30% higher than expected, WCCFTECH shares. This is supposedly because the US is lacking on semiconductor supply chains and ingredients needed to stabilize process yield rates.
When major IT companies begin buying from TSMC Arizona, the prices they pay can end up reflecting in the prices consumers pay for their products.
Despite the Trump administration's disapproval of TSMC's domestic operations, the company will remain an important player in the future of the US semiconductor industry.
