Rumor: TSMC preparing trial run of 10-nanometer ARM chips, could power future iPhones
Apple chipmaking partner Taiwan Manufacturing Semiconductor Co. is reportedly gearing up to test production of 10-nanometer size processors beginning in June, according to a new rumor.
TSMC's alleged plans were first reported by UDN.com, which cited unnamed sources suggesting that the company plans to have a 10-nanometer pilot line in 12 factories. TSMC is said to be hoping to start signing contracts to produce chips before the end of the year.
One key partner expected to be eyeing the 10-nanometer process is Apple. Sources reportedly indicated that TSMC could handle the bulk, or even all, of manufacturing duties for a so-called "A10" chip that might arrive in 2016, as noted by G for Games.
Exactly what features or manufacturing process the "A10" processor might feature is impossible to say so far out. Apple is believed to have begun solidifying partners for its anticipated "A9" processor in late 2014, ahead of anticipated September 2015 launch of new iPhones.
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.
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.
TSMC's alleged plans were first reported by UDN.com, which cited unnamed sources suggesting that the company plans to have a 10-nanometer pilot line in 12 factories. TSMC is said to be hoping to start signing contracts to produce chips before the end of the year.
One key partner expected to be eyeing the 10-nanometer process is Apple. Sources reportedly indicated that TSMC could handle the bulk, or even all, of manufacturing duties for a so-called "A10" chip that might arrive in 2016, as noted by G for Games.
Exactly what features or manufacturing process the "A10" processor might feature is impossible to say so far out. Apple is believed to have begun solidifying partners for its anticipated "A9" processor in late 2014, ahead of anticipated September 2015 launch of new iPhones.
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.
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.
Comments
And running iOS 10!
Wouldnt it be ironic if the A10 chip was a 10 nm chip?
And running iOS 10!
....and it'd be the 10th iPhone model.
I still have the 5s, and will trade up this year. The thing that's been on my mind is battery life. I'm looking forward to what benefits this years A9 has in that department with it's smaller die size on the already good battery life for the 6 plus S. A larger phone is not really my thing but since I have to move on, I'm thinking I should do so with the longest battery life as the trade off.
And running iOS 10!
A-10, Thunderbolt II...Now with more AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
You can't make this stuff up, though the Air Force hasn't yet developed Yosemite Air to Surface missiles.
I still have the 5s, and will trade up this year. The thing that's been on my mind is battery life. I'm looking forward to what benefits this years A9 has in that department with it's smaller die size on the already good battery life for the 6 plus S. A larger phone is not really my thing but since I have to move on, I'm thinking I should do so with the longest battery life as the trade off.
Why the concern? The iPhone 6 is already a massive improvement over the 5s in terms of battery life.
Wouldnt it be ironic apt if the A10 chip was a 10 nm chip?
It would be as good a time as any if they were to ditch the numbering of iPhones and call that itteration the iPhone X
A-10, Thunderbolt II...Now with more AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
You can't make this stuff up, though the Air Force hasn't yet developed Yosemite Air to Surface missiles.
You can already get YASM on your Apple...
Has the sky fallen?
In this article, this publisher did not state that Samsung was the 14nm manufacturer of the A9 chip as it has done in nearly every other article referencing the A9 this year.
This is a HUGE change! This time, "Rumors have suggested...".
A+ and two thumbs up today for this type of reporting!!!!
I wonder if the true A9 manufacturer is already known by this publication and that is the reason for the change in editorial. Also, with the change in reporting style, I am feeling even more positive that TSMC has been the A9 16nm manufacturer all along and the other company pushed the false rumors in attempts to make itself look better even though it and its partner were having major manufacturing issues with 14nm long after a manufacturer would have been chosen by Apple.
I was mid-aged when the practical limit was thought to be 1000nm... what anyone thinks may be a practical limit, is only based on the kind of technology one is imagining being used. Current technology is already far beyond anything I can imagine.
(There were hopes that a computer could be reduced to the size of a desk too!)
I hope they nail it!
YES!!!
Someone on another article commented that the next iPhone will have everything needed and will plateau, saying after that there will be nothing more that can be added.
Only people who lack imagination think we've reached the limit.
I hope they nail Sammy's coffin.
Me likes your idea
Lol
Sorry, wrong thread.