Apple is expanding its US-made chip roster, but according to TSMC’s CEO, the most modern chips will continue being manufactured elsewhere.

Apple's first batch of 'Made in USA' chips from TSMC Arizona are in the 'final test stage' chips being tested against 'Made in Taiwan' variants.

After four years of planning, TSMC is now finally going to make older iPhone processors in the US, but it's not and never will be a true return to American manufacturing.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) first announced its plans to build an “advanced semiconductor manufacturing fabrication” facility in Arizona in early 2020, committing to a $12 billion investment in Phoenix that it later increased to a staggering $40 billion when it committed to a second facility in the state.

Let's rewind to 2013 and the A7, Apple's first 64-bit chip built on TSMC's 28nm process. At the time, those 28nm wafers cost Apple $5,000 each,

TSMC's Arizona Fab 21 began 4nm chip mass production in Q4 2024. Costs are higher than in Taiwan; 2nm production starts in 2025, with 3nm expansion ongoing.

TSMC, which makes chips for Nvidia, reported net income of $11.6 billion. Its CFO said this was supported by "strong demand" for its advanced chips.

TSMC's new U.S. plant is unlikely to get the most advanced chip technology before factories in Taiwan due to complex compliance issues, local construction regulations and various permitting requirements,