Comment by GeekyBear
1 day ago
The word was that TSMC was previously looking to charge much more for their 2nm node.
Apple may have just been looking to apply pricing pressure.
> TSMC has finalized the pricing for its upcoming 2nm process, setting the wafer price at around $30,000. This marks a 10%–20% increase compared with the 3nm process average of $25,000–$27,000, lower than earlier market speculation of a 50% hike.
https://technode.com/2025/10/09/tsmc-sets-2nm-wafer-price-at...
> Apple may have just been looking to apply pricing pressure.
It fits perfectly with Apples sucking up to Trump too.
> Apple may just be looking to apply pricing pressure.
Even if TSMC wasn't going to tighten the screws, it makes sense that Apple would be talking to Intel since Apple abhors single-source external dependencies. Plus, it gives them brownie points with our Grifter In Chief. https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1748/...
> Apple abhors single-source external dependencies.
Apple previously dual sourced SOCs from both TSMC and Samsung, before dropping Samsung.
The performance and power efficiency has to be there.
If Intel can get good yields and performance/power efficiency from their new process node, then it can be worth the added complexity.
And if there's a chance that Intel can get good yields and performance/power efficiency from a new process node, then it's 100% worth it for Apple to already be in talks with them when it becomes available.