TSMC's fab for its upcoming 1.4nm process, known as A14, is under construction at Taichung Phase II in the expansion area of the Central Taiwan Science Park. According to Taiwan's Commercial Times, cited by both TechPowerUp and Wccftech, the facility is expected to be completed by April 2027, with trial production beginning by the end of that year and mass production slated for mid-2028.
Both outlets report that TSMC is using artificial intelligence to accelerate the project and manage the risks that come with building such a technically complex facility. TechPowerUp notes that AI is being applied for image recognition and smart inspection, while virtual reality simulations are used to train workers for high-altitude tasks and hazard scenarios. Wccftech adds that AI systems are also monitoring construction in real time, analyzing heavy equipment operation, structural assembly, and cleanroom setup to catch potential safety violations as they happen.
Managing heat is described as a particular challenge. Wccftech reports that TSMC has installed high-temperature and humidity sensors that automatically trigger mandatory cooling breaks for workers, and that an AI-driven thermal management system regulates liquid-cooling channels to prevent heat from TSMC's EUV equipment from distorting sensitive 1.4nm wafers during trial runs. Wccftech states that TSMC is investing $49 billion into four plants dedicated to 1.4nm wafer production.
On the technical side, TechPowerUp reports that the A14 node is expected to deliver up to 15% higher speed than TSMC's N2 (2nm) process at the same power level, or up to 30% lower power consumption at the same frequency, along with a 20% increase in logic density. The outlet also notes that reaching trial production by the end of 2027 would put TSMC ahead of its own internal targets, giving it a timing edge over rivals Samsung and Intel, whose 14A node is positioned as a direct competitor in this generation of manufacturing.
Cost remains a major factor. Wccftech cites an earlier rumor putting the price of each 1.4nm wafer at around $45,000, suggesting that only well-capitalized companies—such as Apple, reportedly planning an A22 Pro chip for its 2028 iPhone lineup—would be positioned to absorb such costs. Both sources trace their information back to Commercial Times, and neither report contains direct conflicting figures on the fab's core timeline, though they emphasize different aspects: TechPowerUp focuses on the scheduling and performance gains of the A14 node, while Wccftech centers on the AI-driven safety and construction-risk management behind the project.