TSMC reportedly started accepting 2nm wafer orders earlier this month, with industry estimates putting each wafer at a cost of a whopping $30,000. It is unconfirmed if the foundry giant can lower the price once it reaches a certain scale, but this will put companies like Apple, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and others in a tough position. On one hand, no firm wants to be left behind by having access to cutting-edge technology, but at the same time, the price increase of chipsets that will leverage the 2nm process could result in phone makers having to absorb the cost. In short, future smartphones and tablets all equipped with next-generation silicon will have little choice but to be shipped at a higher price.
This year could see Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek avoid price hikes due to sticking with TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process
It will take TSMC a while to boost production of its 2nm wafers, but when that time comes, Digital Chat Station has commented on Weibo that the increased production cost will force Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek to charge a premium for their chipsets. Earlier, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that not all iPhone 18 models will feature a 2nm A-series SoC because of the high wafer costs, suggesting that the higher-end iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will exclusively ship with this silicon.
For 2026, Qualcomm is said to be working on not one, but two 2nm chipsets, one of which will be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3. However, even the San Diego firm is well aware of the consequences that will materialize if it continues relying on just TSMC, which is why the company is still exploring a dual-sourcing option where it can take advantage of Samsung’s advanced nodes. As for MediaTek, it can command a higher market share by selling its upcoming Dimensity 9600 at a lower price to phone makers.
The tipster could be correct in his prediction regarding the price increase of 2nm chipsets, but seeing as how demand for these wafers is higher than 3nm ones, a possibility exists where TSMC lowers the price based on scale alone. We recommend readers to treat this rumor with a pinch of salt, and we will be back with more updates.
News Source: Digital Chat Station
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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