A new supply chain report covered Intel pointed to Intel preparing to begin mass production of 1.8nm chip called 18A in 2025. CEO Pat Gelsinger said the company will send the design of 18A to the fab during the first quarter of next year.

The Elec reports that "The collaboration with Ericsson announced in May was also going well, Gelsinger said. Ericsson and Arm are some of the customers that Intel has secured for 18A. The telecom giant is planning to make 5G SoC chips using the US company’s advanced node. Panther Lake, aimed at PCs, will also be launching that year  with the 18A."

With Intel introducing 1.8nm chip in 2025, the question becomes when will Apple be adopting TSMC'S 1.8 or 2nm chips in 2025 as well?

In April 2022, Patently Apple posted a report titled "A new report claims that an iPhone with a 2nm Processor could be Disappointingly Delayed to between 2025 and 2026" which was echoed by Tom's Hardware.

With Intel making a bold prediction about the release of their 1.8nm processor for 2025, will TSMC stick with its original timetable or push it up to match Intel's aggressive announcement. This will be an interesting race to follow over the next 18-24 months.