After months of speculation, fresh reports from industry insiders suggest that the anticipated cost surge for TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm N2 wafers may not be as catastrophic as once feared. While earlier projections warned of a potential 50 percent price premium over 3nm production, the latest data points to a more modest 10–20 percent increase. 
However, this apparent relief comes with a hidden twist – TSMC is reportedly adjusting prices across its entire lineup, effectively narrowing the gap by raising the cost of its existing 3nm nodes.
According to analysts familiar with the situation, the pricing for the N2 wafers will remain around $30,000 per unit, the same figure that caused concern among major clients like Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek earlier this year. The company aims to begin mass production in late 2025, and major players are already lining up to secure capacity. Qualcomm, for instance, is preparing to use the enhanced N2P variant for its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, signaling a full leap into next-generation silicon.
But while the 10–20 percent increase sounds manageable on paper, the real adjustment comes from TSMC’s quiet but significant move to raise prices on its 3nm processes. The N3E and N3P nodes are expected to jump to $25,000 and $27,000 per wafer respectively, meaning companies that continue relying on 3nm chips will still feel financial strain. This strategy effectively maintains TSMC’s profit margins while encouraging partners to migrate toward newer technologies.
Industry watchers interpret this as a classic example of how market power shapes technology transitions. With TSMC currently controlling roughly 90 percent of global advanced wafer production, it holds enormous leverage over pricing. Experts argue that such dominance leaves few alternatives for chip designers, forcing them to comply despite rising costs. Some observers even speculate that these dynamics could eventually fuel a resurgence of in-house semiconductor fabrication at companies like Intel – especially as U.S. and European governments push for supply chain independence.
For consumers, these upstream adjustments may translate to higher prices for smartphones, tablets, and other electronics. Yet the performance and power efficiency gains promised by 2nm production are expected to be substantial. Devices running on 2nm chips should offer longer battery life, faster computation, and lower heat generation. While the $30,000 wafer figure remains daunting, it may represent a necessary step in sustaining Moore’s Law in an era of skyrocketing fabrication costs. As one observer put it, “When it rains porridge, you better grab a spoon.”