TSMC plans to begin production of its A14 1.4nm process in 2028, with Apple reportedly positioned as one of the first customers. TrendForce associates the node with a possible A22 Pro chip for future premium iPhones, potentially giving Apple a move beyond 2nm after only two iPhone generations built around that technology.
The A22 Pro connection remains unconfirmed. TrendForce’s report suggests the standard A22 could use a less expensive process, while the advanced A14 node would be reserved for the higher-end chip. Neither Apple nor TSMC has announced an A22 family or disclosed a customer product roadmap for A14.
A J.P. Morgan note cited in the report points to pilot production beginning in the third quarter of 2027, several months earlier than initially expected, and suggests mass production could be brought forward to the first half of 2028. Heavy demand for AI processors is putting pressure on TSMC’s capacity while also strengthening the business case for faster fab expansion.
What TSMC’s A14 node promises
Against TSMC’s N2 2nm technology, A14 is expected to improve performance and efficiency while packing more logic circuitry into a similar area.
The prospective efficiency gain could give a future iPhone more battery life or allow sustained performance at lower heat output. Apple is described as having moved to 2nm with the A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 series, so a transition to A14 would represent an unusually rapid process-node shift.
Apple is also reportedly discussing chip manufacturing with Intel and Samsung as it considers supply-chain alternatives. Reuters reported that no orders had been placed, while TSMC remains Apple’s primary supplier. Intel could produce certain Apple chips from 2028, according to that report.
The cost implications are still unclear. Estimates for an A14 wafer range from about $35,000 to $45,000, compared with roughly $30,000 to $33,000 for N2 wafers. Wafer pricing alone cannot determine a phone’s final price because chip size, manufacturing yield, defective dies and packaging all affect the cost per processor. Confirmation of Apple’s A22 Pro plans, A14 pricing and TSMC’s production schedule is still pending.
