Could Apple Circumvent Trumps Stupid Tariffs? ▉

From TechPowerUp:

TSMC has reportedly initiated production of Apple’s last-generation A16 Bionic processors at its newly constructed Fab 21 in Arizona. This development comes significantly earlier than anticipated, with the facility’s full-scale production initially scheduled for 2025. According to insights from industry expert Tim Culpan, the Arizona plant is already churning out a modest but noteworthy quantity of A16 Bionic chips. These processors are being manufactured using TSMC’s NP4 4 nm semiconductor node.

I had meant to link to this back in September but was dealing with some site issues and didn’t. Now I’ve found it again as I’m clearing out some old tabs and thought it relevant given the election last week.

If Apple can get at least some of their SoCs made here in the States, they may be able to make a case to the incoming Trump administration that they are at least making some things here and thus may be able to get exemptions to any proposed tariffs that might be imposed on electronics and/or chips being imported. If so, it’ll at least keep Apple’s prices stable. The problem is the A16 mentioned in the article is from the iPhone 15, not even the iPhone 15 Pro. I’m not sure if any of the 3 nm A series SoCs currently shipping in the iPhone 16 will be made in Arizona any time soon. This might extend to the M series SoCs as well.

That said I am so not looking forward to $2000 graphics cards again because a majority of my fellow Americans clearly failed basic high school economics and have absolutely no idea how tariffs actually work.

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