[News] TSMC Reportedly Eyes Up to 15% 3nm Price Hike in 2H26, Further 5%–10% Seen in 2027 Amid AI, ASIC Demand - TrendForce

According to reports from multiple Taiwanese media outlets, TSMC is reportedly planning to raise 3nm chip prices by up to 15% in the second half of 2026, followed by an additional 5%–10% increase in 2... Read original →

TSMC’s planned up to 15% price hike on its 3nm node in 2H26 reflects not just tight supply but a structural repricing driven by AI architecture shifts and geopolitical cost inflation. Technically, 3nm has become the de facto standard for AI ASICs—offering better yield stability and CoWoS compatibility than 2nm, which remains in early ramp. Cloud providers’ rush toward in-house chips intensifies capacity lock-in. Regulatory and capex pressures from overseas fabs in the U.S., Japan, and Europe are being passed through pricing to protect margins. Competitors like Samsung and Intel lack the ecosystem depth to challenge TSMC’s dominance despite aggressive process roadmaps. Over the next 12–24 months, 3nm will act as an 'invisible tax base' for AI infrastructure: even as 2nm emerges, most designs will linger on 3nm due to mature integration with silicon photonics, SoIC, and CPO—creating a supplier dependency trap where advancement reinforces monopoly.