Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is preparing to launch its next-generation 2nm (N2) process node, and demand is already strong. Recent reports reveal that TSMC has secured 15 major customers, with nearly two-thirds focused on high-performance computing (HPC).
This shift marks a major industry transition: advanced process adoption is moving away from smartphones and toward AI, data centers, and custom chips.
HPC and AI Lead 2nm Adoption #
According to Bren Higgins of KLA Corporation, around 10 out of 15 customers designing chips on the N2 node are in the HPC sector. While specific names weren’t disclosed, industry watchers expect NVIDIA and AMD to be leading adopters, powering their next-generation AI accelerators and GPU architectures such as:
- NVIDIA’s Rubin Ultra series
- AMD’s Instinct MI450
Beyond GPU leaders, hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, Broadcom, and OpenAI are also building custom AI ASICs. These chips are expected to become significant revenue drivers for TSMC’s 2nm ecosystem.
Gate-All-Around (GAA) Technology Advantage #
The N2 node is built on Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistor technology, representing a leap forward from TSMC’s 3nm (N3) process. Key advantages include:
- Higher performance at advanced clock speeds
- Improved power efficiency for AI and data center workloads
- Competitive pricing strategy to encourage early adoption
Mass production of TSMC’s 2nm process is planned for H2 2026, with the first consumer and enterprise products expected by early 2027.
Apple and Mobile Customers Still Play a Key Role #
While HPC drives most of the momentum, Apple, MediaTek, and Qualcomm remain critical mobile adopters. Apple, in particular, has reportedly:
- Reserved over 50% of N2 capacity
- Booked an entire fab to secure supply for upcoming iPhone and Mac processors
This contrasts with HPC clients, who demand fast process iteration and flexible capacity allocation for AI-driven workloads.
Competitive Pressure from Samsung and Intel #
The 2nm race isn’t limited to TSMC. Samsung is aggressively pushing its own GAA roadmap, recently securing a $16.5 billion 2nm chip order. Meanwhile, Intel is also targeting next-gen process nodes to regain leadership.
As mass production nears, TSMC must balance:
- Capacity between mobile and HPC customers
- Cost, yield, and scaling challenges
- Competitive pressure from Samsung and Intel
Industry Outlook: AI Reshaping the Semiconductor Landscape #
The semiconductor industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. Where smartphones once drove advanced nodes, the new growth engine is AI and high-performance computing.
For global tech leaders, securing TSMC’s 2nm capacity early will determine their competitive edge in AI, cloud, and high-end devices in the coming decade.