MediaTek Tapes Out Flagship SoC on TSMC’s 2nm Process, Mass Production Expected by End of 2026
MediaTek has officially confirmed the tape-out of its next-generation flagship SoC built on TSMC’s 2nm process node, with mass production and availability scheduled for late 2026. The announcement positions MediaTek among the first semiconductor firms to adopt TSMC’s advanced nanosheet transistor technology, setting a new milestone in their longstanding collaboration.
The 2nm node represents TSMC’s most advanced semiconductor process to date, utilizing a nanosheet transistor architecture for the first time. Compared to the N3E process, the 2nm node offers:
1.2x increase in logic density
Up to 18% higher performance at the same power
Up to 36% lower power consumption at the same performance level
This leap forward promises significantly better efficiency and performance for applications spanning mobile platforms, AI, automotive systems, and data centers.
MediaTek General Manager Guanzhou Chen highlighted the importance of the milestone, stating:
“The development of this chip using TSMC’s 2nm process technology once again demonstrates our industry-leading ability to broadly apply advanced semiconductor process technologies to diverse solutions. Our long-term, close collaboration with TSMC ensures MediaTek's flagship products achieve the highest performance and best energy efficiency, bringing exceptional solutions from edge to cloud to customers worldwide.”
Although MediaTek has not revealed the SoC’s exact target market, its flagship designation suggests it will be a critical product in the company’s high-performance portfolio.
This development also aligns with MediaTek’s ongoing partnership with NVIDIA. Both companies previously collaborated on the GB10 “Grace Blackwell” Superchip, built on TSMC’s 3nm node. With NVIDIA reportedly delaying its N1X SoC launch to Q1 2026, it is possible that this new 2nm SoC could tie into joint efforts to establish a foothold in the emerging AI PC segment.
If so, we may hear more during GTC 2026 or Computex 2026, as both firms prepare to push next-generation AI and PC SoC solutions to market.
The Bigger Picture
AMD has also confirmed it will use TSMC’s 2nm technology for its future Zen 6 CPUs, underscoring the industry-wide shift toward this advanced node.
The move to 2nm will give MediaTek and its partners a competitive edge in efficiency and performance compared to products still on 3nm.
Given the timing, the new flagship SoC could serve as a central pillar of MediaTek’s strategy for premium devices and high-growth AI applications.
Do you think MediaTek’s partnership with TSMC and possibly NVIDIA will give it enough leverage to compete with Qualcomm, AMD, and Apple in the high-performance SoC race?
