Apple has started mass production of the next generation M5 chip. According to South Korea-based media outlet ET News, the packaging phase of the chip has started last month. In other words, new chips have entered the final stage of the mass production process.
Apple started production of the M5 chip!
Apple outsources the production phase of the chips on silicon wafers to TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). Packaging operations are carried out by outsourced companies such as Taiwan-based ASE Group, US-based Amkor and China-based JCET. ASE Group was the first company to start mass production, and other companies are expected to start production respectively.
The first production line is for the base model of the M5 chip. For the production of Apple’s more advanced M5 Pro, M5 Max and M5 Ultra models, it is stated that the above-mentioned companies have made additional facility investments.
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It is stated that the M5 series chips have an improved ARM architecture and are produced with TSMC’s advanced 3 nanometre production technology. In other words, Apple seems to have given up the more costly 2-nanometre production technology at this stage. However, high-performance M5 models will offer significant improvements thanks to TSMC’s System on Integrated Chip (SoIC) technology.
SoIC technology enables chips to be stacked on top of each other in 3D, which improves thermal management and reduces electrical leakage. Apple is reportedly expanding its collaboration with TSMC and incorporating innovations such as carbon fibre composite moulding into this next-generation hybrid SoIC packaging technology.
The first device to use the M5 chip is expected to be a new iPad Pro model that will enter mass production in the second half of next year. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, other devices using Apple’s chips are as follows:
- iPad Pro: M5 chips will appear in these devices in late 2025 or the first half of 2026.
- MacBook Pro: Models with M5 series chips will be released at the end of 2025.
- MacBook Air: M5 variants on these devices are expected in 2026.
- Apple Vision Pro: If the updated version is released, it could come in late 2025 or early 2026.
In addition, references to the M5 chip have been discovered in Apple’s official codes. According to the report, the chip’s SoIC design will also be used in Apple’s AI servers to power AI infrastructure in both consumer devices and cloud services.
