Roger Fingas
Apple chip supplier TSMC could make use of its new 7-nanometer manufacturing technique for the processors in 2018 iPhones, a new Chinese-language report suggests.
After trial efforts are completed, TSMC should be ready to begin 7-nanometer manufacturing in earnest sometime between Q4 2017 and Q1 2018, MyDrivers claimed, citing supply chain sources. That would give Apple enough time to implement the technology into 2018 iPhones, and indeed TSMC will allegedly be Apple's exclusive supplier of 7-nanometer chips.
The report suggested that Apple could make use of the process for the "A11" chip in 2017 iPhones, but that would be unlikely. For years Apple has preferred to ship new iPhones in September — the end of Q3 — and the company would need full-scale manufacturing to meet global demand.
Instead the "A11" will likely make use of TSMC's 10-nanometer process, which should enter use in the first quarter of 2017. The A10 chip in the iPhone 7 is a 16-nanometer component.
Shrinking die size should allow Apple to cram faster processor technology into a smaller space, while simultaneously making iPhones more power-efficient, or at least keeping consumption under control.
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15 Comments
Here comes TSMC sponsored media flash to hang on to Apple business. Samsung is said to manufacturer 10nm for QC snapdragon 835 so obviously Apple's A11 would be on TSMC 10nm and next 7nm acceptable yield will be atleast 2 years into 2019 iPhone. Any news about 7nm iPhone in 2018 is just marketing ploy and jibber-jabber. TSMC history is not good from announce to implement. Who will spend billions in 10nm fab and in one year go to 7nm before recouping investment in 10nm..
This seems way too optimistic. First, let's see them get 10nm out the door. And then they have to pay off those horrendous costs, which measure in the billions. I don't see how they can do this in one year. I would expect to see 7nm in 2019, assuming everything goes well, which is not guaranteed.
As long as Samsung is out I'm happy :)
Who makes these concept mockups? Ugh. Seriously have you never heard of "kerning". Also, "press any key to unlock"? What keys? It's a touchscreen, morons.
I'm curious what process will be used for the A10X. It seems that it might be feasible to use 10 nm, given the alleged timing of an iPad refresh.