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.

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.

Apple is already testing the initial batch of processors produced for its devices by TSMC Arizona, reports Nikkei Asia. To begin with, the tests intend to compare the Arizona output to see if the quality is similar to chips produced in TSMC’s cutting-edge fabs in Taiwan.