TSMC to Raise 3nm Process Prices by 15% in Second Half of 2026
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Quick answer
TSMC plans to increase 3nm process prices by 15% in the second half of 2026 due to persistent capacity shortages and high demand from the AI industry.
TSMC, the world’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer, continues to face a shortage of 3nm process capacity despite increasing production volumes. According to supply chain sources, monthly wafer output for this process reached 160,000–175,000 units in the second quarter of this year, but this remains insufficient to meet rising customer demand.
The primary driver of the shortage is the artificial intelligence sector, where demand for advanced chips is growing faster than anticipated. Even with aggressive capacity expansion at its Fab 18 facility in Taiwan’s Southern Science Park, TSMC has been unable to fully close the gap between supply and demand. As a result, the 3nm capacity shortage has become a key bottleneck in the global semiconductor supply chain.
In response, TSMC plans to raise prices for its 3nm process services in the second half of 2026. The increase is expected to reach up to 15%, reflecting not only high demand but also the company’s efforts to optimize capacity utilization amid limited resources.
Experts warn that shortages of advanced process technologies may persist for several years, particularly as the industry prepares for the introduction of 2nm and even more advanced nodes. This poses additional challenges for electronics manufacturers competing for access to limited capacity.
Common questions
- Why is TSMC raising 3nm process prices?
- The company faces persistent capacity shortages driven by surging demand for advanced semiconductors, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector. Production growth has failed to keep pace with market needs.
- What factors contribute to the 3nm chip shortage?
- The primary factor is the rapid growth in demand for AI-driven chips, which has outpaced TSMC’s capacity expansion. This has created a bottleneck in the semiconductor supply chain.
- How will the price increase impact the semiconductor market?
- The price hike may increase costs for electronics manufacturers, especially in AI and high-performance computing. It could also accelerate competitors’ efforts to develop their own advanced process technologies.
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