TSMC could begin mass producing 1.6nm chips in late 2026

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

TL;DR

TSMC has reportedly developed a 1.6nm chip manufacturing process.

The process is said to deliver an 8% to 10% increase in computing speed, and a 15% to 20% decrease in energy consumption.

TSMC is expected to start mass production in Q4 2026.

While everyone’s excited about 2nm chips, IBM recently blew past that limit, showing off its sub-nm architecture . As a result, TSMC and other chip makers are now left playing a game of catch-up. However, IBM estimates that it will take five years before this design is ready for production. As the company works towards that goal, TSMC is hot on IBM’s heels with a sub-2nm manufacturing process that could be ready for mass production soon.

A report from Liberty Times (via Chosun ) claims that TSMC has finished the development and verification of its angstrom-class A16 (1.6nm) process. TSMC will reportedly enter the mass production phase in the fourth quarter of 2026.