According to digitimes reports, industry sources revealed that TSMC plans to invest more than $15 billion in 2021 to advance the company's 3nm process technology.

The above-mentioned industry insiders said that TSMC is increasing its 3nm chip production in the second half of 2022 to meet Apple's orders. The company will use its N3 (3nm process) technology, which includes a technology called 2.5nm or 3nm Plus. The enhanced 3nm process node to manufacture Apple’s next-generation iOS and Apple Silicon devices.

It is reported that TSMC revealed on the earnings call held on January 14 that about 80% of capital expenditures this year will be used for advanced process technologies, including 3nm, 5nm and 7nm. This pure wafer foundry is estimated to have capital expenditures of between US$25 billion and US$28 billion in 2021, significantly higher than the US$17.2 billion last year.

According to TSMC, compared with the 5nm process, the 3nm process can increase transistor density by 70%, or improve performance by 15%, and reduce power consumption by 30%.