Apple rumoured to be leaving TSMC N2P nodes to Qualcomm and MediaTek in 2026

Apple's next-generation silicon roadmap is reportedly beginning to take shape. According to a new report from China Times, Apple is set to adopt a more conservative approach to manufacturing technologies this year than in previous years.

Currently, Apple is expected to present its A20 chipset this autumn inside multiple iPhones, including the iPhone 18 Pro Max. At the same time, the Apple M6 is believed to be gracing a redesigned and OLED display-wielding MacBook Pro 14 to replace existing M5 models (curr. $1,511 on Amazon).

Reportedly, both chip generations will remain on TSMC's base 2 nm (N2) process rather than its more advanced N2P process, though. With TSMC N2 nodes set to enter mass production soon, higher-performance A16 and N2P variants will now not follow until later in the second half of the year.

Analysts expect TSMC N2P nodes to deliver modest gains over their N2 counterparts. Specifically, a 5% performance uplift is rumoured at comparable power levels. However, this improvement will be offset by increased manufacturing costs. The first TSMC N2P-backed chipsets are anticipated to arrive before the end of the year, produced by MediaTek and Qualcomm under their Dimensity 9 and Snapdragon 8 divisions, respectively.