Rumors: Apple orders 10nm TSMC 'A11' chips for 2017 iPhones, 2016 'iPhone 7' to boast 256GB storage
As expected, TSMC has secured orders to produce 10-nanometer "A11" processors for next year's iPhones, according to sources. Separate sources meanwhile hinted on Wednesday that this year's "iPhone 7" will indeed have up to 256 gigabytes of storage.

A 2017 iPhone mockup.
TSMC will be manufacturing Apple-designed OLED driver circuitry for the 2017 iPhones as well, DigiTimes contacts said. The actual OLED panels should be supplied by Korean companies, presumably meaning Samsung and/or LG Display. Rumors have indicated that Apple is planning to use edge-to-edge OLED display technology, possibly even integrating Touch ID and camera functions.
Apple is also believed to be working on its own single-chip technology integrating touch and display drivers. To date, Synaptics (once Renesas SP Drivers) has supplied the company's driver circuitry.
In a separate story, other DigiTimes sources mentioned the 256-gigabyte cap on the "iPhone 7" in relation to NAND flash storage prices, which are said to be surging based on third-quarter smartphone manufacturing -- particularly for Apple's new hardware. Demand is thought to be outstripping supply, leading companies like Samsung and SK Hynix to raise quotes.
Some other reports have pointed to top-end "iPhone 7" configurations getting 256 gigabytes of storage, double the ceiling on the iPhone 6s. While that's uncertain, Apple is widely believed to be making 32 gigabytes the new minimum, finally addressing long-standing complaints that 16 gigabytes isn't enough given the size of modern apps, photos, and music.

A 2017 iPhone mockup.
TSMC will be manufacturing Apple-designed OLED driver circuitry for the 2017 iPhones as well, DigiTimes contacts said. The actual OLED panels should be supplied by Korean companies, presumably meaning Samsung and/or LG Display. Rumors have indicated that Apple is planning to use edge-to-edge OLED display technology, possibly even integrating Touch ID and camera functions.
Apple is also believed to be working on its own single-chip technology integrating touch and display drivers. To date, Synaptics (once Renesas SP Drivers) has supplied the company's driver circuitry.
In a separate story, other DigiTimes sources mentioned the 256-gigabyte cap on the "iPhone 7" in relation to NAND flash storage prices, which are said to be surging based on third-quarter smartphone manufacturing -- particularly for Apple's new hardware. Demand is thought to be outstripping supply, leading companies like Samsung and SK Hynix to raise quotes.
Some other reports have pointed to top-end "iPhone 7" configurations getting 256 gigabytes of storage, double the ceiling on the iPhone 6s. While that's uncertain, Apple is widely believed to be making 32 gigabytes the new minimum, finally addressing long-standing complaints that 16 gigabytes isn't enough given the size of modern apps, photos, and music.
Comments
While some people complain that 16GB is below the minimum.. I say BS! It's below their minimum... which is why you should buy a larger capacity phone! There are people out here in the real world that don't need much in the way of storage!
It is a $650 phone, 32GB should be minimum. This coming from a 64GB iPhone 6+ owner.
No one ever complained their computer hard drive had too much capacity.
Intel now has to contend with TSMC's InFO process in addition to the transitional move to 10 nm and subsequent quick move to 7 nm.
Samsung is also ahead of Intel in the move to 10 nm.
At least Intel has won LG's business for manufacturing the Nuclun SoC. LG is one of the best of the cell phone manufacfurers so it is a meaningful win.