Last week, Apple launched the iPad 11, which is powered by the A16 chip instead of the rumored A17 Pro. According to media reports,Apple's choice of the A16 chip allows the iPad 11 to maintain the same price of $349 (the National Bank version starts at 2,999 yuan).
Another reason is that the A16 chip used in the US version of the iPad 11 is manufactured in a US factory. Previously, the US Department of Commerce announced that TSMC's Arizona chip factory has begun producing 4nm chips. This is the first time that TSMC has launched large-scale production of advanced chips in the US.
It is reported that Apple's A16 chip has been put into production in the first phase of the Fab21 factory in Arizona. The current output is small. However, when the second phase is completed and fully put into production, the output will be greatly increased to ensure that the project can reach the expected production target in the first half of 2025.
Mark Gurman said that the iPad 11 uses the A16 chip made in the US factory, and Apple has reduced tariffs to a certain extent, thus ensuring the profits of the iPad 11 and avoiding being forced to raise prices due to rising tariffs.
Previously, the U.S. Department of Commerce stated that by 2030, the United States will produce about 20% of the world's advanced chips. In the past, the U.S.'s advanced chip production capacity was almost zero.