International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM) has introduced the world's first 2-nanonmeter chipmaking technology, which it says could be as much as 45% faster than the 7-nanometer chips used in today's computers and smartphones, and up to 75% more energy efficient.
The technology will take several years to come to market. Once a major manufacturer of microchips, IBM now outsources its high-volume chip production to Samsung Electronics but maintains a chip manufacturing research center in Albany, New York.
The 2-nanometer chips are smaller and faster than today's cutting edge 5-nanonmeter microchips that are just now showing up in premium smartphones such as Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) newest iPhone 12. Next, 3-nanometer chips are expected to follow the 5-nanometer ones.
The 2-nonometer chip is very tiny, which makes it faster and more energy efficient. IBM says it plans to continue researching and developing the 2-nonometer technology for eventual use in consumer technology products.
