Recently, TSMC announced its N2 (ie 2nm process) schedule, or start mass production by the end of 2025, later than Intel’s 18A node (equivalent to 1.8nm process). The agency noted that Intel’s acceleration in advanced process development led it to believe that the chipmaker could “reverse the playbook” and outperform rivals TSMC and Samsung with the 18A node.
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A few days before TSMC’s N2 schedule was released, Intel just revealed that its next-generation 18A node will go into production in the second half of 2024, a few months earlier than previously expected in 2025, according to the technology website Register. Intel CEO Henry Kissinger believes that the company will become the leader in process performance with its 18A node, and the early production shows that it has full confidence at present.
In a recent analysis, Scotten Jones, head of semiconductor consulting firm IC Knowledge, said that if Intel does meet its goals, it will mark a reversal of the competitive landscape. Previously, Intel fell behind TSMC and Samsung in cutting-edge manufacturing due to 10nm and 7nm process missteps. Until then, the analyst sees no chance for Intel to catch up.
“All in all, we believe Intel can significantly accelerate process development at a time when foundries are struggling.” “While we don’t think Intel will recapture process leadership over the time period studied, we believe they will.”
Moreover, Intel plans to launch a total of 4 new nodes between now and 2024, starting with the Intel 4 in the second half of 2022, then the Intel 3 in 2023, the Intel 20A in early 2024, and the Intel 18A later that year.
