A10X Fusion chip in new iPad Pro first consumer device built on TSMC's 10nm process
Third party analysts have examined the A10X Fusion processor found in the new iPad Pro, and it has been confirmed to be the first chip in a device using TMSC's FinFET 10nm chip fabrication process.
In a breakdown published by Tech Insights, A10X Fusion die size comes in at 96.4 square millimeters as compared to the 16nm A9X with a die size of 143.9 square millimeters. Even having the notably smaller die size, the chip has 8MB of L2 cache, three CPU cores, and a 12-cluster GPU assembly.
For comparison, the A9X in the previous iPad Pro also had a 12-cluster GPU assembly, but two CPU cores and 3MB of L2 cache. The GPU in the A10X is nearly identical to that in the A9X and A10, so it is likely still Imagination's PowerVR technology.
The step is slightly out of line for Apple. Historically, Apple has shifted to a smaller manufacturing process on the iPhone, rather than on the iPad. The "X" series processor has been an improvement on the smaller die, with more cores for higher performance when associated with a larger battery.
Despite the smaller die size and 10nm process, Anandtech notes that Apple groups the A9 and A10 families together in processor family documentation, including the A9X and A10X in the same family of processors.
The A10X Fusion processor debuted on June 5 in an event that saw the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro released, alongside a refresh of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Besides just the new processor, the new iPad Pros also feature "ProMotion" technology and other enhancements, dramatically improving visual performance by giving the screen a 120Hz refresh rate.
An AppleInsider review of the 10.5-inch iPad with the A10X Fusion processor found it to be a massive improvement over the A9X in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. As a result, "Apple is now essentially competing with itself" in the large-format tablet race.
In a breakdown published by Tech Insights, A10X Fusion die size comes in at 96.4 square millimeters as compared to the 16nm A9X with a die size of 143.9 square millimeters. Even having the notably smaller die size, the chip has 8MB of L2 cache, three CPU cores, and a 12-cluster GPU assembly.
For comparison, the A9X in the previous iPad Pro also had a 12-cluster GPU assembly, but two CPU cores and 3MB of L2 cache. The GPU in the A10X is nearly identical to that in the A9X and A10, so it is likely still Imagination's PowerVR technology.
The step is slightly out of line for Apple. Historically, Apple has shifted to a smaller manufacturing process on the iPhone, rather than on the iPad. The "X" series processor has been an improvement on the smaller die, with more cores for higher performance when associated with a larger battery.
Despite the smaller die size and 10nm process, Anandtech notes that Apple groups the A9 and A10 families together in processor family documentation, including the A9X and A10X in the same family of processors.
The A10X Fusion processor debuted on June 5 in an event that saw the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro released, alongside a refresh of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Besides just the new processor, the new iPad Pros also feature "ProMotion" technology and other enhancements, dramatically improving visual performance by giving the screen a 120Hz refresh rate.
An AppleInsider review of the 10.5-inch iPad with the A10X Fusion processor found it to be a massive improvement over the A9X in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. As a result, "Apple is now essentially competing with itself" in the large-format tablet race.
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https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-launches-premium-exynos-9-series-processor-built-on-the-worlds-first-10nm-finfet-process-technology
https://venturebeat.com/2017/01/03/qualcomms-snapdragon-835-will-debut-with-3-billion-transistors-and-a-10nm-manufacturing-process/
What TSMC calls 10nm and what Intel calls 10nm are not the same thing. TSMC's 10nm is probably somewhere in between Intel's 14nm and Intel's 10nm.
But that's a small point.
Apple's windstorm cores are amazing. I have a new iPad Pro 12.9" and it really is super speedy. But while I really do like it, I wish my Mac could benefit from Apple's CPU design team.
Through Gruber -- discussing iOS 11 AR:
https://twitter.com/gruber/status/880444659528601601
AFAICT this video is running on an iPhone with an A9 or earlier APU.
I've tried it on an iPhone 7 (A9) and an earlier iPad Pro 12" (A9X) running iOS 11.
It takes a while to download and cache enough 3D map data...
But, but when I got it working...
Shit, Oh dear! I haven't felt this way since I saw my first Apple ][ -- 39 years ago.
It isn't what it is, today -- it is the future! *
Imagine the implications -- ad hoc gaming (including war games), history education and medical analysis immediately come to mind...
Can anyone who has a new iPad with the new A10X chip please try the flyover and and post their opinion? A video?
* This is exactly in Apple's wheelhouse -- year after year there will be a demand for smaller, faster, more powerful, less battery-dependent devices and more integrated software capability.
Yours is the opinion I value most on this forum, and your enthusiasm above -- in the context of your lifetime of IT experience -- is very exciting for the future we're all on the cusp of entering.
In my lifetime, I've met more than a few people who acted like the world revolved around them...
Now it does -- for anyone with a newer iPhone or iPad...
I entered Flyover for San Jose... I spun and rotated the world around me to see my old home in Saratoga... then took a few steps to get there (could've swiped)... then, I spun again to rotate Cupertino into view... took a few steps and I was at Apple's new Campus...
Now, I'm in Rome, then Madrid...
Wherever I go -- the world revolves around ME!
Now, how do I take a selfie to prove it???
they won't even know ewhat hit them.
google probably knows but is quite late in wanting to start their own chip design
Now we just have to imagine what the new iPhone processor will be like. Im strongly leaning towards Apples new GPU showing up in the chip. We might even get the same CPU cores as the A10X. In otherwords i see A10X fore telling a big jump in iPhone SOC tech.
I think this could be done to a certain extent! If you watch how the Apple Maps 3D image is constructed on a slow connection, you will see, in this order:
Of course you would need to do software-assisted artistic renderings to compensate for man-made and natural changes over time.
But, I think you could create reasonably-accurate presentations of, say, the battle of Thermopylae:
Yep! When you come to needs that are addressed by exclusive [to Apple] capabilities, cost becomes a non-issue.
I read somewhere that VR is like a game app or airplane simulator app -- they handle, and are limited by, situations that the programmer has written into the app. Whereas AR has no such limitations.
Supposedly there is an install-base of over a billion iOS devices capable of running iOS 11. No-one else has that advantage -- and won't be able to match Apple's AR capability for years (if ever).
And, on the business side, with its AR offerings, Apple is creating an unquenchable thirst for more, better, faster -- that will last for years!
Apple's A10X is the first 10nm from TSMC but not from the industry. It may of course be the better chip tho, no argument from me.
Doesn't work on current iP7 or older iPad Pro 12".
The camera appears to be used for motion/depth detection but anything put in front of the camera is not captured.
Ha! The AR mapping could be used for war games -- and maybe could've saved the Duke of York:
So the Story goes: