Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) is reportedly on track to surpass industry leaders Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung (KS:005930) with the introduction of a 1.8nm (18A) chip in 2025, according to a recent report by Sammobile.
According to Sammobile, Intel has announced its readiness to commence production using 'Intel 4'- a 4nm equivalent manufacturing process for its upcoming 14th generation Meteor Lake processor from this year.
Reports also suggest that Intel may have the Intel 20A (2nm) ready from the first half of 2024, followed by the Intel 18A (1.8nm) in the second half of that year.
The significance of transistor size cannot be overstated in this context. The proposed 1.8nm chip could potentially give Intel a first-mover advantage over TSMC and Samsung due to the critical role transistor size plays in chip performance and power efficiency.
In essence, smaller nanometer chipsets are considered superior because they allow more silicon-based transistors - which perform calculations to process data - to be tightly packed together on a chip. This not only frees up space for additional transistors but also enhances the chip's performance and power efficiency.
Presently, TSMC holds the title as the world's largest semiconductor fabrication company, boasting key clients such as Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), and Samsung. The Taiwanese tech giant initiated its 7nm chip fabrication back in 2017, advancing to 5nm chips in 2019 and then to 3nm chips in 2022. Meanwhile, Korea's Samsung embarked on its own journey into 7nm chips production in 2018, followed by 5nm in the subsequent year. Currently, the company is manufacturing 3nm chips, which are expected to reach mass production by the end of this year.
Both TSMC and Samsung Foundry have committed to kick-starting their respective 2nm chip fabrication processes by 2025, as per their process roadmaps.
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