TSMC is rumored to be considering removing Apple’s priority shipment status as the iPhone maker is no longer the foundry’s biggest revenue contributor, according to a tipster report published on Wccftech (20/01). The claim emerges amid a broader shift in TSMC’s earnings driven by the AI boom.

Apple is still expected to secure more than half of TSMC’s initial 2nm production capacity. Most of these wafers are reportedly allocated to the A20 and A20 Pro chips for the upcoming iPhone 18 series.

Apple Loses Position as TSMC’s Top Revenue Contributor

Apple previously accounted for 24 percent of TSMC’s annual revenue in 2024, maintaining its long-standing position as the company’s largest customer.

The report states that NVIDIA overtook Apple in 2025, changing the balance of influence among TSMC’s clients.

A Weibo tipster, Fixed-focus digital cameras, claimed that TSMC CEO C.C. Wei visited Apple’s headquarters to demand the “largest price increase in recent years.” The report suggests smartphone SoCs are no longer TSMC’s main source of revenue.

AI Boom Increases Pressure on 2nm Supply and Pricing.

TSMC is reportedly experiencing tight supply conditions for its 2nm wafers due to overwhelming demand. The foundry is said to have raised prices for its advanced nodes for four consecutive years, starting in 2026.

Apple’s A20 chip is estimated to cost $280 per unit, indicating that higher prices may already be reflected. The 2nm node has reportedly recorded 1.5 times more tape-outs than 3nm, showing strong demand from multiple customers, including Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek.

NVIDIA Becomes TSMC’s Largest Customer

The tipster stated that NVIDIA now accounts for 13 percent of TSMC’s total revenue, making it the company’s largest customer. This shift is attributed to strong AI-related demand.

TSMC’s capital expenditure is expected to reach between $52 billion and $56 billion this year due to the AI boom, according to the report.

PHOTO: NIKKEI ASIA/SHINYA SAWAI, AKIRA KODAKA

This article was created with AI assistance.

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