Apple partner TSMC to mass produce 10nm chips by early 2017, on pace to beat Intel
The race to make smaller and more efficient mobile processors continues, with iPhone chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. revealing it remains on track to mass produce its first 10-nanometer FinFET processors by early 2017 -- a timeframe that would put it ahead of rival Intel.
TSMC announced this week that its 10-nanometer technology remains on schedule, according to DigiTimes. The news comes a day after Intel revealed that its own 10-nanometer process has been delayed until the second half of 2017.
If TSMC remains on track, it will begin producing its own 10-nanometer chips in limited quantities in late 2016, ahead of mass production in early 2017. That means the chips would be unlikely to appear in a presumed late 2016 "iPhone 7" from Apple.
The current-generation 64-bit A8 chip is manufactured through a 20-nanometer process, which itself was a reduction from the previous A7 processor. It's believed that TSMC is responsible for the majority of A8 chip production, taking duties away from Samsung, who was previously the exclusive maker of Apple's A-series processors.
Apple is believed to have begun solidifying partners for its anticipated "A9" processor in late 2014, ahead of anticipated September 2015 launch of a new "iPhone 6s" series.
Rumors have suggested the "A9" chip might use a 14-nanometer manufacturing process. Smaller processors are more efficient, resulting in power savings that can allow devices like the iPhone to see improved battery life, even as the chips themselves become more powerful and capable.
AppleInsider's own sources indicated in March that the "A9" chip will be paired with 2 gigabytes of RAM in this year's iPhone upgrade. Additional RAM would allow iOS to leave background tasks and tabs in Safari open for longer without a need to reload or refresh.
TSMC announced this week that its 10-nanometer technology remains on schedule, according to DigiTimes. The news comes a day after Intel revealed that its own 10-nanometer process has been delayed until the second half of 2017.
If TSMC remains on track, it will begin producing its own 10-nanometer chips in limited quantities in late 2016, ahead of mass production in early 2017. That means the chips would be unlikely to appear in a presumed late 2016 "iPhone 7" from Apple.
The current-generation 64-bit A8 chip is manufactured through a 20-nanometer process, which itself was a reduction from the previous A7 processor. It's believed that TSMC is responsible for the majority of A8 chip production, taking duties away from Samsung, who was previously the exclusive maker of Apple's A-series processors.
Apple is believed to have begun solidifying partners for its anticipated "A9" processor in late 2014, ahead of anticipated September 2015 launch of a new "iPhone 6s" series.
Rumors have suggested the "A9" chip might use a 14-nanometer manufacturing process. Smaller processors are more efficient, resulting in power savings that can allow devices like the iPhone to see improved battery life, even as the chips themselves become more powerful and capable.
AppleInsider's own sources indicated in March that the "A9" chip will be paired with 2 gigabytes of RAM in this year's iPhone upgrade. Additional RAM would allow iOS to leave background tasks and tabs in Safari open for longer without a need to reload or refresh.
Comments
Intel's process is more space efficient. Both Samsung and TSMC use two different process nodes on the same chip. The process for the transistors is the new node, but the wiring between the chips is a half, or a full node behind.
These dates are goals, just as Intel's are. We'll see if they meet them.
But you watch.. up to a few weeks prior.. Digi-Times and others will STILL be claiming Apple is deciding or looking at changing..
Many are probably Samsung shills trying to pump stock price using un-informed and foolish investors...
Honestly, anyone who thinks Apple has not started production at this point is a fool. They are NOT still 'ho-hum' deciding on who to use.. They made this desiccation back at end of may. Melrose Place of 'tech' this is not.. but Blogs and Media certainly want it to seem like it is..
But you watch.. up to a few weeks prior.. Digi-Times and others will STILL be claiming Apple is deciding or looking at changing..
Many are probably Samsung shills trying to pump stock price using un-informed and foolish investors...
So, do you think TSMC will be making the A9 then?
Intel is delaying a lot of chips lately and I am suspecting that Apple is losing its patience and will probably release a Mac with its ARM chips which has shown to be extremely efficient and powerful.
It may not be cut and dried.
So, do you think TSMC will be making the A9 then?
Yep, and he is not the only one. Not until there is a teardown by a reputable entity announcing the Samsung-manufactured A9 should anyone believe that Samsung won. That company lies and will steal at every turn in an attempt to make itself look good. Thankfully, Apple has been able to raise the bar high enough and move forward fast enough to blunt the lies and thefts of that shameless company.
Intel's process is more space efficient. Both Samsung and TSMC use two different process nodes on the same chip. The process for the transistors is the new node, but the wiring between the chips is a half, or a full node behind.
It's a shame most of the media always excludes these types of details.
Intel announced it will delay the 10nm process until the middle of 2017. That is NOT a good sign.
Intel is delaying a lot of chips lately and I am suspecting that Apple is losing its patience and will probably release a Mac with its ARM chips which has shown to be extremely efficient and powerful.
I doubt that. Kaby Lake should have quite a bit of appeal with Apple.
Note the H line GT4 (2x128 MB). Looks like it was made for the MBP.
The only large delay, prior to the move of Cannon Lake to 2017, was Broadwell. Skylake is still on schedule.
Apple is making TSMC and Samsung to compete for it's business and in process make them invest billions to push the chip technology up. But, all this valid when their first chip comes out of foundry working at 10nm node. So, until than take with the grain of salt. This means iphone 7 processor A10 will not be on 10nm in 2016.
TSMC couldn't manage quality at 20nm and hosed Nvidia and AMD in the process. None of these `goals' are based in reality.
Eh? TSMC is fabbing millions of 20nm chips for Apple every month. That's why nVidia and AMD don't have new GPU's; Apple bought out the available capacity.
So a 10nm A11 for 2017s iPhone 7S then...nice.
The jist of this is that mobile will be at/near desktop.
In chip technology, hype is part of life. Intel's bread and butter is designing,making and selling next generation chips from desktop/laptop to servers to internet of connectivity so Intel will make sure it stays ahead of game. IBM just announced breakthrough for 7nm width.
Apple is making TSMC and Samsung to compete for it's business and in process make them invest billions to push the chip technology up. But, all this valid when their first chip comes out of foundry working at 10nm node. So, until than take with the grain of salt. This means iphone 7 processor A10 will not be on 10nm in 2016.
Just to clarify, Samsung/Global Foundries are partners with IBM on 7nm fab.
(You mean feature size?) Intel 14nm Apple (ARM) 22nm.
The already huge gap between ARM and Intel will widen even further.
Intel will eventually lose the whole chip market because the near future will hold tablets only.