But the first batch is not intended for smartphones at all, but for artificial intelligence systems
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), the largest contract chip manufacturer and a key supplier to Nvidia and Apple, intends to begin production of 1.6-nanometer processors in the second half of 2026. TSMC presented its new A16 technology at a conference in Santa Clara, California. The company noted that the first to receive the latest chips will be developers of artificial intelligence solutions, and not smartphone manufacturers, as is usually the case.
According to TSMC, the new technology involves the use of nanosheet transistors, which consist of thin layers of silicon, and the so-called “reverse power supply”. This is a new approach where power is supplied from the back of the silicon wafer, eliminating complex internal wiring and improving energy efficiency. By the way, Intel claims that it will be the first in the industry to master this type of power: it is planned to be introduced into the 2nm Intel 20A and 1.8nm 18A process technology as early as 2025.
TSMC also said that it does not consider it necessary to use the new High-NA EUV lithography machines from ASML to create chips using A16 technology. As we have already written, the installations will be very expensive: the cost of one such machine will be about $380 million. Intel previously said it would be the first to use this equipment to create its 1.4nm 14A chips.