半导体行业观察·2026-01-09 01:53Core Insights - The article highlights the evolution of the partnership between Apple and TSMC, emphasizing how Apple's strategic investments and demand have significantly shaped TSMC's growth and technological advancements [4][5][6]. Group 1: Apple and TSMC Partnership Evolution - In 2013, TSMC invested $10 billion to support Apple's chip manufacturing, leading to a successful collaboration that began with the A8 chip in 2014 [1]. - Apple's annual spending at TSMC increased from $2 billion in 2014 to an estimated $24 billion by 2025, marking a 12-fold growth over 12 years [3]. - The partnership has allowed Apple to dominate the semiconductor market, with its share of TSMC's revenue peaking at 25% and stabilizing at 20% by 2025 [3]. Group 2: Financial Impact and Market Dynamics - TSMC's capital expenditures surged from an average of $2.4 billion annually (2005-2009) to $98 billion from 2019 to 2022, largely driven by Apple's demand [6]. - Apple's manufacturing obligations rose from $8.7 billion in 2010 to $71 billion in 2022, showcasing its critical role in TSMC's financial stability [6]. - The revenue from TSMC's high-performance computing (HPC) segment is projected to grow from 36% in 2020 to 58% by 2025, while smartphone revenue will decline from 46% to 29% [6][9]. Group 3: Technological Advancements and Market Position - Apple has consistently funded advancements in semiconductor technology, maintaining over 50% market share in key process nodes since the introduction of the 20nm process [3][4]. - The article outlines five phases of the Apple-TSMC relationship, indicating a shift from mutual dependence to a diversified reliance on multiple clients, including NVIDIA and AMD [16][34]. - Apple's internal chip development has led to significant cost savings, with over $7 billion saved annually by replacing third-party chips with in-house designs [8]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Strategic Challenges - By 2030, new chip generations are expected to account for 15% of Apple's wafer demand, indicating a shift in product focus [8]. - The article discusses potential challenges for Apple as it faces increased competition from NVIDIA in the HPC space, which may impact its market share in advanced process nodes [7][35]. - Apple's exploration of alternative manufacturing partners, including Intel, suggests a strategic diversification to mitigate risks associated with reliance on TSMC [42][46].