Chipmaker TSMC can’t meet Apple’s demand for M3 chips, and that’s bad news for some expected product launches from the American tech icon in the near term.

Apple relies on the Taiwanese TSMC for the production of its new M3 chip, but there are already fears that the demand for the latter is simply too great. If this proves true, Apple will no longer be launching the new MacBook, iPad Pro, and updated Mac Pro later this year.

The problem

With these major launches later this year, Apple is fully committed to TSMC for both the M3 and A17. But now that the Taiwanese manufacturer can no longer keep up with the immense demand, this is throwing a lot of plans at Apple upside down. There is even talk of a postponement to next year for both the new iPad Pro and the new MacBook. There is more uncertainty when updating the Mac Pro. There is a possibility that it will be equipped with an M2 Ultra.

An additional catch is the fact that Apple also uses TSMC’s 3nm process to manufacture the A17 Bionic chip. Which is used in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Because Apple traditionally launches its phones in September, the company can’t delay the launch without losing face.

The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max used the 4nm process at TSMC, so recycling that chip isn’t an option for the iPhone 15 either. It’s clear that Apple really needs the M3.

silver lining

However, it is not yet 100 percent doomsday reports, there is still a light edge around the dark clouds. The M2 dates from June 2022 and was used in the new MacBook Air and 13-inch Pro. That was less than a year ago, so the call for updates isn’t immediately deafening. Since the M1 launched in November 2020, we can expect the pace at which Apple introduces new chips to be around a year and a half. That means the M3 can be expected later this year.

Another possibility is that Apple will prioritize the A17 Bionic and ask TMSC to prioritize that production over that of the M3. That move still doesn’t really put the company behind the competition.

The only thing this remains bad news for is the Mac Pro, which is still awaiting the promised update. It’s the only remaining device still running on Intel. If Apple actually decides in favor of the M2 Ultra, that will probably also mean the end of the Mac Studio, which runs on the M1 Ultra.

TSMC officially started production of the M3 last year, but it wasn’t until this year that the chipmaker really started large-scale production. Yields are sure to improve as the year progresses, so fans shouldn’t give up hope for M3 products in 2023 entirely just yet.