[News] TSMC 2nm Reportedly Up 10–20%, Far Below Rumored 50%; 3–7nm to Rise Single-Digit in 2026

Ahead of TSMC’s earnings call on October 16, the market has been buzzing over the 2nm wafer pricing as the node nears mass production by year-end. Despite rumors of a 50% surge, Investor.com reports that prices are actually just 10–20% higher than 3nm, well below the hype.

In terms of other advanced nodes, TSMC is also implementing price hikes, with 3, 4, 5, and 7nm expected to rise by single-digit percentages in 2026, varying by customer, the report suggests.

EE Times reported in early October that TSMC’s wafers on the 2nm node were rumored to cost over 50% more than their 3nm counterparts. With a 3nm 300mm wafer priced around $20,000, a 50% jump would put a 2nm wafer at $30,000 or higher, the report indicated.

However, supply chain sources cited by Investor.com indicate that 3nm wafers (including variants like N3P, N3E, etc.) currently sell for around $25,000–$27,000 each, while 2nm wafers are priced at roughly $30,000, representing a moderate 10–20% increase over 3nm rather than the rumored 50%.

The report points out that while TSMC’s advanced nodes—3nm, 4nm, 5nm, and 7nm—are running at full capacity, legacy nodes remain underutilized. During annual price talks with clients and suppliers in August and September, TSMC reportedly asked suppliers for an average 10–20% cost cut, according to Investor.com.

TSMC’s U.S. Expansion Sparks Price Premium

On the other hand, EE Times notes that as TSMC ramps up U.S. production, the company expects its foreign fabs to trim consolidated gross margins by 2–3%. To offset rising operational and geopolitical costs, price hikes are deemed essential, creating a built-in premium for U.S.-made wafers, the report adds.

As Bloomberg reported in July, one of TSMC’s major first wave 2nm customers, AMD, stated that chips produced at TSMC’s Arizona fab carry a 5–20% premium compared with equivalent wafers from Taiwan. EE Times adds that some industry sources suggest the premium for 4nm production could reach 30% in Arizona.

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(Photo credit: TSMC)