Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
About 55% was an analyst’s estimate of TSMC’s early-ramp 3nm yields for Apple’s A17 and M3 processors in 2023—not an official, audited yield figure disclosed by TSMC. The analyst called it healthy for that stage of development and expected improvement as production matured.
What the 55% figure means—and what it does not
Brett Simpson, a senior analyst at Arete Research, estimated that yields for TSMC’s N3 process used for Apple’s A17 and M3 processors were around 55% during the early ramp, according to EE Times in 2023. In semiconductor manufacturing, yield broadly refers to the share of manufactured dies that meet the requirements to be usable. The report does not establish that every N3 customer, product, or production batch had the same yield.
The estimate was not a TSMC product-yield disclosure. TSMC chief executive C.C. Wei separately said N3 had reached high-volume production with “good yield,” while customer demand exceeded the company’s ability to supply. Those comments describe the company’s assessment of the process and its supply situation; they do not confirm Simpson’s 55% estimate.
What the analyst reported about the A17 and M3
Arete Research’s reported figures describe estimates and expectations from the early N3 ramp, rather than final production results:
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Measure | Reported figure | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| N3 yield for Apple A17 and M3 processors | About 55% | Analyst Brett Simpson’s early-ramp estimate, reported by EE Times in 2023; not an official TSMC yield disclosure. |
| Expected yield improvement | Around 5 or more percentage points per quarter | Simpson’s expectation at the time, not a subsequently verified quarterly result. |
| Yield level associated with initial-ramp pricing | Roughly 70% | Reported as the level toward which yields would move during the first three to four quarters of the ramp; not a claim that all products reached it on a fixed schedule. |
| A17 die size | Estimated 100–110 mm² | Arete Research estimate reported by EE Times in 2023. |
| Mask layers | 82 | Arete Research figure reported by EE Times in 2023. |
| Estimated chips per wafer | About 620 A17 chips; about 450 M3 chips | Arete Research estimates reported by EE Times in 2023; the figures are not a guaranteed count of usable chips from every wafer. |
Wafer-level chip counts and yield are different measures. The reported counts estimate how many dies can be laid out on a wafer; yield concerns how many manufactured dies are usable. A chip count alone therefore does not establish how many finished, usable processors a wafer produced.
Which Apple products were connected to the N3 ramp?
A17 Bionic: iPhone 15 Pro models
The A17 was expected for Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro models. That made the early N3 ramp directly relevant to a consumer product, but the reported yield estimate does not say how many iPhone units Apple shipped or whether a particular device experienced a supply shortage.
Rank #2
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
- 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
M3: Macs
The M3 processors were being developed for Macs. Simpson’s estimate covered the A17 and M3 together; it should not be read as a separately disclosed yield for every M3 chip or Mac model.
Could a 55% yield make Apple’s M3 more expensive?
Lower yield can mean fewer usable dies from a given amount of wafer production, which can raise manufacturing cost per usable chip if other factors stay the same. But the reported estimate alone cannot establish Apple’s actual M3 cost, retail price, or profit margin.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
EE Times reported that Apple was paying for known-good dies rather than using standard whole-wafer pricing during the first three to four quarters of the ramp, as yields moved toward roughly 70%. Under a known-good-die arrangement, payment is tied to dies that meet the agreed usability criteria rather than simply to the wafer. That pricing basis can change how ramp risk is shared, but it does not reveal the price Apple paid per chip or prove that any cost change was passed on to customers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What TSMC said, and what later reporting does not prove
Wei said TSMC’s 3nm technology had reached high-volume production with good yield. He also said demand for N3 exceeded the company’s ability to supply it and that TSMC expected the process to be fully utilized in 2023, supported by high-performance computing and smartphone applications. A demand-driven supply constraint is distinct from a low-yield claim: the CEO’s remarks do not identify yield as the reason supply could not meet demand.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
TSMC’s 2025 annual report continued to place 3nm among the process nodes driving flagship smartphone SoCs. That later description indicates the node remained commercially important; it does not independently confirm the historical 55% estimate for the A17 and M3 ramp.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesQuick Recap
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
