
After the recent release of the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, you might have thought Apple would take a breath while users adapt. You'd have thought wrong, though.
According to a report from MacRumours, Apple have secured all of the N3 orders available from TSMC. That means that 3nm processors – likely to be the M3 range for MacBook's and the A17 Bionic chip for iPhones – are coming in droves.
They will reportedly be found in devices launching in the second half of 2023. Based on the current rumour mill, that could mean the 15-inch MacBook Air is the first to get the boost, along with the iPhone 15 range, which will most likely limit the advancement to their Pro tier.
They could be the first commercially available devices with 3nm processors. That's great for users, too, with a reported 35% performance boost over the 4nm process used at the moment. And when you consider just how fast and powerful the current processors are, the results are set to be totally staggering.
It's likely to also mean that the rumoured Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 won't be a 3nm processor. Qualcomm have recently been using TSMC to manufacture their processors, having previously used Samsung, too. But, if Apple have taken up the entire order availability, flagship Android phones will be left using a 4nm alternative.
If that's true, it would give Apple a substantial boost in the race for best phone, and could leave competitive devices from the likes of Samsung far behind. And, given that MacBook Pro models are already widely considered to be a substantial leap ahead of the competition, it could serve to make that gap even wider.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
-
Siri AI still planned for iOS 26, but you'll have to wait
Some clarity on the long-awaited feature
-
Your Pixel phone just got the biggest update of the year – Android 16 rolling out now
Google has started to roll out the full Android 16 update to supported Pixel phones
-
iPadOS 26 just made the iPad a true Mac replacement
Wait, did Apple just make a touchscreen MacBook?
-
There's an Android foldable coming with Apple Watch support – the first of its kind
Is Vivo about to take a swinging ball to Apple’s walled garden?
-
Apple's new Mac software brings many iOS 26 benefits – but adds one thing
Changes aplenty
-
Apple's AirPods are getting a very useful upgrade – but not all models
Apple is updating AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 with some great creativity features
-
Apple takes gaming seriously at last – separate Games app coming to iOS 26
Apple Games will include Arcade and other gaming services
-
Apple confirms iOS 26 with huge updates and major new features
Apple's switching up its naming game