TSMC’s 2nm Chips To Cost $30,000 Per Wafer as Arizona Fab Reaches Profitability
The world’s leading chip manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), is set to push prices on its most advanced semiconductors to record levels. According to a report in the Korean press, TSMC plans to charge as much as $30,000 per wafer for its cutting-edge 2-nanometer process, which enters mass production this year.
Record Prices to Secure High-End Clients
TSMC’s 2nm process will initially be deployed in products for its most loyal clients, with Apple expected to be first in line, followed by NVIDIA and AMD. The report notes that yields for TSMC’s 2nm wafers currently sit at around 60%, which gives the company confidence to scale into mass production despite the complexity of the node.
By setting such a high entry point, TSMC ensures that only firms capable of leveraging the absolute best in semiconductor technology will compete for early access. This contrasts with Samsung’s approach, as the Korean foundry is attempting to offset weaker yields (around 40%) with lower pricing and faster delivery times to capture share in the emerging 2nm market.
Arizona Fab Turns Profitable in Record Time
Meanwhile, a separate Taiwanese report highlights the success of TSMC’s overseas expansion. Its Arizona fab achieved NT$4.2 billion in profit in Q2 2025, marking its second consecutive profitable quarter and the first time the site has contributed positively to TSMC’s overall earnings.
This milestone is especially significant given TSMC’s previous concerns about high manufacturing costs in the U.S. The Arizona fab began 4nm volume production in late 2024 and posted NT$496 million in profit in Q1 2025. With Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD as its anchor clients, the facility benefits from a steady pipeline of high-value orders that offset the higher operating costs compared to TSMC’s fabs in Taiwan.
Expansion and Risks Ahead
TSMC’s American footprint is expected to grow further, with two additional fabs planned for construction. Analysts, however, caution that the heavy depreciation costs tied to these facilities could weigh on profitability in the long term. By comparison, TSMC’s Japanese fab has posted losses in the first half of 2025, underlining the delicate balance between global expansion and cost management.
With wafer prices now reaching $30,000, TSMC is signaling both confidence in its technological edge and an aggressive strategy to maintain dominance in the most advanced segments of the semiconductor industry. Whether Samsung’s pricing tactics will be enough to pull clients away remains an open question.
Do you think companies like NVIDIA and Apple will absorb these higher wafer costs, or will this push end-product prices even higher for consumers?
