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TSMC 3nm capacity still tight, prices seen rising 15% in second half of 2026
TSMC's 3nm wafer capacity has increased to 160,000–175,000 monthly but still falls short of demand, leading to a planned 15% price increase for foundry services in late 2026. The Fab 18 complex is central to production, primarily driven by surging AI-driven demand, highlighting significant bottlenecks in the semiconductor supply chain.
Key points
- TSMC has increased its 3nm monthly capacity to 160,000–175,000 wafers.
- Despite this increase, strong customer demand and order backlogs remain unmet.
- A 15% price hike for 3nm foundry services is anticipated in the second half of 2026.
- The Fab 18 complex in Southern Taiwan is TSMC’s main production site for 3nm technology.
- Rapidly growing AI-driven demand has outpaced previous expectations, contributing to supply shortages.
Why it matters
- The semiconductor supply chain has faced multiple disruptions due to pandemic-related issues and geopolitical tensions.
- By 2025, the demand for advanced process nodes is expected to increase, especially for AI applications.
- The shortage in advanced semiconductor manufacturing is a critical issue that impacts technology and innovation across various sectors.
The persistent tight supply and anticipated price increases for TSMC's 3nm wafers underline the growing challenges faced by the semiconductor industry amid rising demand and operational bottlenecks.