- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
50%
Plausible
Apple is expected to lose its top spot as TSMC’s biggest customer, despite reportedly securing more than half of its foundry partner’s initial 2nm capacity, with the majority of wafers dedicated to the A20 and A20 Pro that will be utilized for the upcoming iPhone 18 series. With the Cupertino firm no longer the highest earner thanks to the AI boom, a tipster claims TSMC will no longer give Apple priority in shipments, as the bulk of its earnings come from an entirely different category.
Tipster claims TSMC CEO visited Apple’s headquarters to initiate the largest price hike, as smartphone SoCs are no longer the top revenue generator
The tag-team of Apple and TSMC has always been speculated to be a preferential one and rightfully so, as the iPhone maker has, time and time again, contributed a significant chunk to the semiconductor giant’s revenue. There was also a report stating that both companies have made a secret deal behind closed doors where Apple only plays for the ‘good’ wafers batches, but those claims have been refuted by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who cleared the air, stating that TSMC doesn’t absorb the costs of defective wafers.
However, we’re still inclined to believe Apple gets priority for TSMC’s cutting-edge lithography, but this year, we could witness a major tide change. We have already reported that the California-based titan accounted for 24 percent of TSMC’s annual revenue in 2024, with NVIDIA taking the title in 2025. Now, according to Weibo tipster Fixed-focus digital cameras, a shocking revelation hit Apple in the form of a visit from TSMC CEO C.C. Wei, who demanded the ‘largest price increase in recent years.’
TSMC has been said to be experiencing a tight supply of 2nm wafers, and with overwhelming demand putting pressure on its shoulders, the semiconductor manufacturer has reportedly been forced to raise the prices for its advanced nodes for four consecutive years, starting in 2026. While this doesn’t necessarily apply only to Apple, the company’s A20 SoC is estimated to cost $280 per unit, hinting that the price hikes may have already been applied. The 2nm node has reportedly recorded 1.5 times more tape-outs than 3nm, highlighting that Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek aren’t the only customers in town.
At the end of the post on Weibo, Fixed-focus digital cameras mentions that NVIDIA is now TSMC’s largest customer, accounting for 13 percent of TSMC’s total revenue. Perhaps when the AI bubble bursts, TSMC will return the favor to Apple, but the company likely doesn’t see that happening anytime soon, as its capital expenditure due to the AI boom will reach unprecedented levels of a whopping $52 billion to $56 billion this year.
News Source: Fixed-focus digital cameras
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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