TSMC to begin mass production of 1.6nm A16 process in late 2026

TSMC has completed the development of its A16 manufacturing process, a 1.6-nanometer technology, with mass production scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. This advancement utilizes a “Super Power Rail” method for backside power delivery, which can increase computing speeds by 8 to 10 percent or reduce power consumption by 15 to 20 percent.

The rollout of this technology places TSMC ahead of competitors, as Samsung is expected to begin 1.4-nanometer production in 2029 and Intel is targeting 2028 for its 14A process. Major clients, including Apple and Nvidia, have reportedly shown significant interest in these new capacities.

Recent rumors regarding performance leaps in Apple's upcoming A20 chips have been clarified as being related to the underlying TSMC manufacturing process rather than the chip design itself. While the new process utilizes Gate-All-Around (GAA) technology, the actual performance of a specific chip depends on various design factors beyond just the fabrication node.