In recent years, the development of chip manufacturing technology has been attracting the most attention and the public. Especially recently, the news that giants such as TSMC, Samsung and Intel are competing for the 2nm process has aroused the attention and heated discussions of many netizens. Some people believe that our chip manufacturing technology is still far from the 2-nanometer battlefield, so we can only watch this competition. However, this is not the case, and the gap between our chip manufacturing technology and the world's top level is not far away, only 2 generations, and the gap is only 5 years. This article will elaborate on this and put forward thoughts on the current outlook of domestic chips.
Today, global chip manufacturing technology is moving in a more advanced direction. At present, the world's top chip process has reached 3 nanometers, of which TSMC and Samsung are the first manufacturers to master this technology. The two companies began mass production of 3nm chips last year, and it wasn't until this year that Apple's A17Pro launched the first phone with a 3nm chip. How does our chip manufacturing level compare to this?Not long ago, Huawei released a flagship mobile phone equipped with a Kirin 9000s chip. Although Huawei has not officially announced the nanometer value of the chip, according to the electron microscope scanning analysis of the scientific and technological institution, its transistor density is equivalent to TSMC's N7 process, and its performance is also similar to the 5nm Snapdragon 888 chip. It can be said that it is not an exaggeration to characterize this chip as 5 nanometers, and it is not an exaggeration to call it 7 nanometers. In other words, we are not so far behind the world's top chip manufacturing process, only 2 generations behind, only 5 years.
Although there is a certain gap between us and the top level in chip manufacturing technology, people should not be overly pessimistic, because the actual situation may not be what it seems. The first thing to be clear is that the 7nm process itself is enough to meet more than 95% of the world's chip manufacturing needs. At present, only a very small number of flagship chips, such as mobile phone chips and artificial intelligence chips, have begun to use 5nm and 3nm processes, and these chips account for less than 5% of the overall chip market. In other words, the 7nm process is completely sufficient for the vast majority of chips. Therefore, we have caught up with the world's most advanced chip technology level, and we do not need to be overly nervous, and we should have a more confident attitude towards the development of domestic chips.
Although we have made up for some gaps in chip manufacturing technology, we cannot be satisfied with this achievement and need to continue to work hard. At present, countries around the world are actively promoting the research and development and application of chip technology, especially the value and strategic significance of the chip industry are becoming increasingly prominent. For China, to achieve a breakthrough and leadership in the chip industry, it needs the support and efforts of reasonable planning, refined management, and global win-win cooperation. At the same time, it is also necessary to increase investment in scientific research in the field of chips, improve the ability of independent innovation, cultivate high-quality talents, improve the industrial chain, and form a complete ecosystem. Only by making breakthroughs and progress in these aspects can we achieve independent and controllable chip manufacturing and demonstrate our strength and competitiveness in the international market.
To sum up, although there is a certain gap between us and the world's top level in chip manufacturing technology, we are actually only 2 generations behind, and only 5 years. At this stage, the vast majority of chip manufacturing needs have been satisfied, and we have caught up with the world's most advanced chip manufacturing process, which makes people not need to be overly pessimistic. Despite this, we must continue to work hard and increase our efforts in scientific research investment, innovation ability, and talent training. Only through all-round development and breakthroughs can we achieve a leading position in the chip industry and further enhance our strength and competitiveness. Let's look forward to the future of domestic chips and work hard for it!