According to IC designers, the wafer foundry competition continues to proceed, TSMC maintains an absolute lead, not only 3nm large orders almost all, 2nm also began to start cooperation negotiations, although the semiconductor industry is in the headwind, TSMC is still strong again

In addition, the advanced manufacturing process will start cooperation at least 3 years ago, TSMC's 3nm generation orders have been established with customers early, and the 2025 mass-produced in 2nm has also begun to negotiate, which also allows TSMC to continue to expand its advantages in price negotiation and supply.

Digitimes further reports that "IC designers said that after entering the generation of advanced processes below 7nm, wafer foundry quotations are becoming more and more expensive, TSMC 7/6 nm wafer quotation doubled in price.  

Yet the report notes that TSMC is likely to provide discounts to their largest customer Apple with large enough orders." Apple was reportedly given a discount for ordering 90% of TSMC's initial 3nm processors.

Currently, TSMC is said to increase its 3nm wafer production to 100,000 monthly units, but that would be in anticipation of the high iPhone 15 demand and not for any other customer.