Apple has begun mass production of its next-generation M5 Apple silicon chip, designed to power future Macs, iPads, and other core products according to a report from ET news, a South Korean news channel.
Production Partners and Scale
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) remains Apple’s cornerstone partner, fabricating the M5 using its advanced 3nm (N3P) process. Early reports indicate a 5–10% improvement in power efficiency and a 5% performance gain over the M4, laying the groundwork for more capable AI workloads. Behind the scenes, packaging giants ASE (Taiwan), Amkor (U.S.), and JCET (China) are assembling the finalized chips, with ASE leading initial production since January 2025. The phased rollout suggests the base M5 will debut first, followed by Pro, Max, and Ultra variants tailored for high-end devices and data centers. Industry insiders note a surge in equipment orders to meet anticipated demand, with suppliers preparing for a “significant ramp-up” later this year.
Breakthroughs in Chip Design
The M5’s architecture introduces two transformative innovations. For Pro-tier models and above, Apple and TSMC are deploying 3D-stacked packaging via the SoIC-MH (System on Integrated Chips) platform. This vertical integration—using hybrid copper bonding from Dutch firm Besi—enables tighter chip connections, reducing heat generation while boosting bandwidth for AI-driven tasks like real-time language processing and generative models.Meanwhile, a femtosecond laser, sourced from South Korea’s EO Technics, is revolutionizing how wafers are cut. Emitting pulses lasting just one quadrillionth of a second, this technology minimizes microscopic cracks and contamination, enhancing yields for Apple’s intricate 3nm designs.
AI at the Core
Apple’s silicon strategy increasingly revolves around AI. The M5’s Neural Engine, building on the M4’s 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), is expected to prioritize on-device AI capabilities, aligning with Apple’s emphasis on privacy.
Launch Timeline and Strategic Vision
The first devices featuring the M5 are likely to be Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro, expected in late 2025, followed by MacBook Pro and Mac Studio refreshes. Analysts suggest the Ultra variant could anchor Apple’s in-house AI servers, forming the backbone of cloud-based services like an evolved Siri or real-time image generation tools.
