Roger Fingas
The two principal manufacturers of Apple processors, Samsung and TSMC, have each begun volume production of the next-generation "A9" CPU for use in the upcoming iPhones, according to a new report.
TSMC however is only expected to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2015, using its 16-nanometer FinFET process, industry sources told DigiTimes. If Apple holds to a standard September iPhone launch window, that would imply that TSMC will not make a meaningful contribution to launch-day iPhones, at least in terms of CPUs.
The company is reportedly also doing contract production of Touch ID sensors and audio chips for the new iPhones, the latter on behalf of Cirrus Logic.
The sources added that estimates call for 80 million new iPhones to be shipped by the end of the year. That would be well below the 85 to 90 million recently claimed by The Wall Street Journal.
Apple is believed to be working on at least two new iPhones for this fall, commonly referred to as the "iPhone 6s" and "iPhone 6s Plus." Those phones should be identical to their predecessors in most respects, but gain A9 chips, more RAM, and Force Touch control options. Some rumors have also pointed to a budget-priced iPhone 6c being produced, but eschewing the 5c's plastic in favor of metal.
Amber Neely
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
32 Comments
Apple, if they have any brains, won't be putting SOC's on two different processes in the same phone. If this is true (which I doubt) they would be putting the TSMC units into iPads.
Eh! As usual, they have no idea.
[quote name="TheWhiteFalcon" url="/t/187236/samsung-tsmc-begin-volume-production-of-apples-next-gen-a9-cpu-for-iphone-6s-report#post_2748869"]Apple, if they have any brains, won't be putting SOC's on two different processes in the same phone. If this is true (which I doubt) they would be putting the TSMC units into iPads.[/quote] I'm not worrying. This "report" is just a rehashing of what we've been hearing in the always 100% reliable rumor mill. The one thing we know we can count on about that, is that they've never gotten the SoC correct. Someone might get a lucky guess in, but that's about it,
I will think the rumored iPhone 6c will be identical to the new iPod touch. The only difference being the ability to make phone calls. Also throw in touch ID
There are always rumors of delays / issues with the run up of an Apple product. It's par for the course and there are plenty more to come.