Apple's chip supplier TSMC is reportedly preparing to begin production of its next-generation 4nm chips this year, raising expectations for significant performance improvements in future iPhones, iPads, and Macs with Apple Silicon.

This is according to Digitimes (via MacRumors), which states that TSMC will begin production of 4nm chips (N4) in Q3 2021, followed by 3nm technology (N3) in late 2022.

In terms of raw performance, iPhone devices already have a healthy lead over their Android counterparts in our benchmarks. This is partly due to Apple's unique ability to link hardware and software as the only company allowed to use iOS, but also thanks to the A-series chips that the company exclusively uses.

Both the Apple A14 chip that powers the iPhone 12 family and the M1 processor at the heart of the new iPad Pro 2021, MacBook Air M1, MacBook Pro M1, and 24-inch iMac 2021 are manufactured in a 5nm process.

However, compared to current chips manufactured on the 5nm process, the report claims that the "proven" FinFET transistor architecture of the 3nm chip means a 15% increase in speed while reducing power consumption by 30%. And while the phone's chipset is not the only thing that drains the battery (after all, the big bright screen does not provide power on its own), this could be a significant upgrade given the iPhone 12 handset's notoriously limited stamina.

Of course, the availability of this technology doesn't necessarily mean that Apple will include it anytime soon. In fact, we have previously heard that the A15 chip rumored to be in the iPhone 13 will be manufactured on the same 5nm manufacturing process as the current generation, and the first batch of 4nm chips is supposedly for the upcoming Mac.

The iPhone 14, or whatever the final name of the 2022 model is, will likely benefit from a smaller chipset, but even then, unless there are unforeseen technological developments, it is unlikely that Apple will adopt these rumored new 3nm chips directly into the phone It is unlikely; if 4nm processors offer significant performance and efficiency gains over the current generation, and iPhone handsets continue to outperform Android handsets in benchmark tests, there will ultimately be no need to proceed so quickly.

Still, one has to admire the speed at which TSMC is reportedly miniaturizing its chips. Just four years ago, the iPhone X debuted with the Apple A11, a 10nm SoC. A year later, the Apple A12 bionic was featured in the iPhone XS and manufactured on a 7nm process.

If the Digitimes report is true, the prospect of two more jumps in the next two years is exciting, especially considering the performance gains, efficiency, and footprint reductions that past miniaturization has brought. And given how well the first MacBooks with Apple silicon performed, the possibility of a 3nm model in 2022 is a real worry for rival ultrabook makers, even if the benefits take a little longer to reach the iPhone It would be a real concern for rival ultrabook makers, even if the benefits take a little longer to reach the iPhone.