'A11 Fusion' in iPhone X appears to be a six core processor, according to iOS 11 leak [u]
The data trove unearthed by the near-final version of iOS 11 continues to bear fruit, with the latest gleaned data suggesting that the 'A11 Fusion' processor expected to be in the iPhone X has two cores for intensive processing needs, and four high-efficiency cores.
Unearthed by Steve Troughton-Smith on Sunday, the iOS 11 leak from the end of the week reveal CPUs labeled 0 through 5 -- a total of six. Without expanding on further delving, the developer originally claimed that four are the high-powered "Mistral" cores, with two "Monsoon" cores supplementing the four for lesser computational needs.
The A10X in the iPad Pro was the first consumer device built on TSMC's 10nm chip fabrication process. In all likelihood, the "A11 Fusion" processor will be based on the same size process.
To keep the iPhone X running at peak efficiency, as with the iPhone 7, the two types of cores are likely driven by a Apple's traffic-regulating chip, delivering tasks with low computing power demands to the high efficiency cores, and heavy duty tasks to the high power cores. Practically, this means that tasks like e-mail checking and music playing will be handled by the high efficiency cores, preserving battery life when in use much better than if the tasks were dealt with by the high power chips.
It is not clear from the delve if the hexacore A11 Fusion is in the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, or just in the iPhone X.
Apple is expected to announce three new iPhones with the high-end OLED model, and two other devices expected at a Sept. 12 press event. Also predicted is a refresh of the Apple TV adding 4K video as a playback option, and an LTE-equipped Apple Watch.
Update: The six cores were "clarified" by the discoverers later on Sunday, with the current prediction being two of them having the higher power, and four of them being the low-power, high power efficiency model.
Unearthed by Steve Troughton-Smith on Sunday, the iOS 11 leak from the end of the week reveal CPUs labeled 0 through 5 -- a total of six. Without expanding on further delving, the developer originally claimed that four are the high-powered "Mistral" cores, with two "Monsoon" cores supplementing the four for lesser computational needs.
For comparison, the A10 Fusion processor in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has a pair of high performance cores, and a pair of high efficiency cores. The A10X in the iPad Pro refresh from WWDC has three high performance "Hurricane" cores, and three high efficiency "Zephyr" cores.A11 Fusion is a 4+2 core device https://t.co/mqtIKcjBmG
-- Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith)
The A10X in the iPad Pro was the first consumer device built on TSMC's 10nm chip fabrication process. In all likelihood, the "A11 Fusion" processor will be based on the same size process.
To keep the iPhone X running at peak efficiency, as with the iPhone 7, the two types of cores are likely driven by a Apple's traffic-regulating chip, delivering tasks with low computing power demands to the high efficiency cores, and heavy duty tasks to the high power cores. Practically, this means that tasks like e-mail checking and music playing will be handled by the high efficiency cores, preserving battery life when in use much better than if the tasks were dealt with by the high power chips.
It is not clear from the delve if the hexacore A11 Fusion is in the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, or just in the iPhone X.
Apple is expected to announce three new iPhones with the high-end OLED model, and two other devices expected at a Sept. 12 press event. Also predicted is a refresh of the Apple TV adding 4K video as a playback option, and an LTE-equipped Apple Watch.
Update: The six cores were "clarified" by the discoverers later on Sunday, with the current prediction being two of them having the higher power, and four of them being the low-power, high power efficiency model.
Comments
2 High performance cores
2 High efficiency cores
2 Nueral processing cores
Apple is building increased specializing onto the die, simply because they have the architectural team. the OS and the development system, to create the best tradeoff between performance and efficiency.
Remember a few weeks ago around here, when there were a couple of folks touting the Snapdragon 835 and 845, and the Kirin 970? I'm guessing that they will have to move the goal posts yet again.
Edit;
Okay, so "Longhorn" states that he has the details on the cpu's, and it's 4 big and 2 little, in which case, the Neural processing cores would have to be on the SOC if they exist. That would also imply that the interconnections among the 4 large CPU's would have to be of an improved, evolved, design, and I'm guessing at a new level of bandwidth; maybe we are seeing the first processor suitable for an ARM analog to the Mac Book, less x86 of course. Where would Apple go for an 11X version but to beef up the number of GPGPU's?
If Wall Street still yawns at the high-end iPhone X, then I suppose there's nothing Apple can do to impress anyone.
If that's the case, I indeed don't see how they'd wouldn't include this thing at a minimum as a coprocessor on laptops too.
Run IOS in a window, run its own external screen while the laptop one does something else, whatever.
They could sell Macs were under the screen you got a IOS tablet and the keyboard part runs Windows with some joint storage areas they both share.
They could integrate IOS and Windows by enabling a drag and drop from that IOS window to the Windows and Vice Versa.
People could even just buy and Ipad Pro and then buy just the keyboard if they want the Windows part.
Apple has certainly come a long way in CPU capability in 41 years:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6502
Confirmation: