Intel to outsource 3nm chip production to TSMC as soon as 2022

[ CNMO News] On January 27, according to media reports, Intel will outsource the production of 3nm CPU chips to TSMC in 2022. It is understood that Intel has been a long-term customer of TSMC, but previously it only produced modems, certain graphics chips and a few other niche products. At present, TSMC is a leader in the field of chip foundry, and its manufacturing technology is far ahead.

Intel has told Wall Street several times over the past few months that the chipmaker is considering outsourcing some of its chip production to outside manufacturers after failing to bring its leading chips to market in recent years. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Intel was in talks with TSMC and Samsung to discuss the possibility of outsourcing some high-end chips to the two manufacturers.

Intel's latest chips currently use 14-nanometer and 10-nanometer processes. The main customers are Apple , Amazon and Microsoft . These companies are either developing their own processors or have designated plans to develop their own processors. TSMC has already used a 5-nanometer process and is already developing a 3-nanometer process. It is worth mentioning that TSMC’s 3nm chips will be mass-produced in the second half of 2022, and people familiar with the matter revealed that Apple has booked TSMC’s 3nm process capacity. This means that Intel will become TSMC's second largest customer of 3nm chips after Apple.

Qualcomm released the second-generation 3D sound wave sensor unlocking speed can be increased by 50%

[ gearbest News] According to foreign media sources, Qualcomm recently released a new generation of 3D acoustic wave sensor , the scanner's scanning area is 1.7 times larger than before, and the scanning speed is 50% faster.  

　　With the release of the Snapdragon 855 in 2018, Qualcomm introduced the first generation of 3D sonic sensors. This in-display fingerprint sensor solution uses ultrasonic waves for biometric authentication, making it more secure and accurate than optical sensors. Subsequently, many flagship devices including Samsung S10 series, Note10 series, S20 series and Note20 series have used this 3D sound wave sensor for biometric identification.

　　A few days ago, Qualcomm has released the second-generation 3D acoustic wave sensor, which has been greatly improved compared to the previous generation. The new second-generation sensor will have a 77% larger scanning area and 50% faster scanning than the first generation. Thanks to the larger surface area, the second-generation sensor captures 1.7 times more biometric data, making it more secure. The larger surface area and faster processing speed will also enable the second-generation 3D acoustic sensor to provide a better experience for users.

　　Qualcomm revealed that devices equipped with the sensor will hit the market early this year. Since Samsung has used Qualcomm's 3D sonic sensors in its devices in the past, the company may be using a new generation in the upcoming S21 series.

　　It's worth noting that the second-generation 3D sonic sensor isn't the US chipmaker's largest ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, the largest being the 3D Sonic Max sensor, which was showcased alongside the Snapdragon 865 at the Snapdragon Tech Summit 2019. The sensor's recognition area is 17 times larger than the first-generation 3D Sonic Sensor, making it significantly larger than the new second-generation 3D Sonic Sensor. Sadly, the 3D Sonic Max sensor has yet to appear in commercial products.


Mini LED chips are out of stock

　[ CNMO News] According to media reports in Taiwan, as Apple , Samsung and other brands plan to launch laptops, tablets and TVs with Mini LED backlight display, the demand for Mini LED chips has skyrocketed, resulting in structural shortages. 5%-10%. Out of stock, price increases and other phenomena indicate that Mini LED demand is expected to show explosive growth this year.

　　Earlier this month, Samsung released the new Neo QLED TV, which takes QLED to a new level through quantum Mini LED light source technology, quantum matrix technology and Neo quantum processor. In addition, foreign media quoted supply chain sources as saying that the 2021 iPad  Pro will be Apple's first product equipped with a Mini LED screen and will be launched in the first quarter of this year. It is understood that Mini LED screens can bring better color reproduction and contrast, and at the same time have higher stability and lower power consumption than OLED screens.

　　It is worth mentioning that the shortage of chips is reflected in industries such as consumer electronics and automobiles. On the one hand, affected by the epidemic, the production capacity of various chips is tight, and the expansion plan this year has also shrunk significantly. On the other hand, orders from all parties have basically increased unabated, and many terminal companies have even placed orders in panic at several times the previous purchase volume. For now, the impact of chip shortages will continue for a long time.