The wait for the world's most advanced computer chips just got longer. According to Digitimes, lead times for TSMC's cutting-edge 3-nanometer manufacturing process have now surpassed one year, meaning customers ordering these chips may wait more than twelve months to receive them.
The backlog is being driven by a surge in demand for AI chips, which has intensified competition for foundry orders. "Foundry" refers to the contract manufacturing of chips designed by other companies, and right now those production slots are in short supply.
The squeeze is also reshaping the competitive landscape. As Digitimes reports, Samsung Electronics is increasingly contending with Intel in the push for foundry business. South Korean industry sources cited by Digitimes say the next two to three years will be a critical period for Samsung's foundry operations, suggesting the company sees this window as decisive for catching up or falling behind.
The stakes are high because the most advanced nodes, like 3nm, are where the highest-value chips, including those powering artificial intelligence, are made. Whoever can supply that capacity stands to capture the most lucrative orders.
Why it matters: when the leading chipmaker's most advanced production is booked solid for over a year, it signals just how tight the supply of AI-grade silicon has become, with ripple effects for every company racing to build AI products.