苹果和英伟达打响“台积电争夺战”

Core Viewpoint - The competition for semiconductor production capacity between Apple and Nvidia is intensifying, with Nvidia expected to surpass Apple as TSMC's largest customer by 2026, impacting Apple's ability to meet iPhone demand due to semiconductor shortages [2][6][9]. Group 1: Apple's Situation - Apple has faced significant supply constraints, leading to an inability to meet high demand for iPhones, as acknowledged by CEO Tim Cook during a financial report [4]. - In Q4 2025, Apple achieved its highest profit ever, with iPhone sales reaching a historical peak after three years, but future production may not satisfy demand due to semiconductor shortages [4]. - The primary bottleneck for Apple is the competition for TSMC's production capacity, which is critical for the latest iPhone 17 series chips manufactured using 3nm technology [4][6]. Group 2: TSMC's Role - TSMC holds a 70% market share in the advanced semiconductor foundry sector and has been a key supplier for Apple, producing semiconductors that serve as the "brain" of iPhones [4][6]. - TSMC's sales from AI-related products have surpassed 50%, while smartphone-related sales have decreased to around 30%, indicating a shift in focus towards AI technologies [6]. Group 3: Nvidia's Ascendancy - Nvidia is projected to become TSMC's largest customer by 2026, overtaking Apple, as the demand for AI-related semiconductors grows [6][9]. - Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang has actively engaged with TSMC to secure production capacity, indicating a strategic push to penetrate Apple's traditional dominance in semiconductor supply [7][9]. - The collaboration between TSMC and Nvidia has evolved into a partnership that shares the growth benefits from the AI boom, marking a significant shift in the semiconductor supply landscape [9].