Early 2021 Apple Silicon iMac said to have 'A14T' processor

Supply chain sources claim that Apple is to make a new desktop processor, the "A14T," plus its own GPU, for forthcoming Apple Silicon Macs, both of which are to be 5nm processors.

As Apple is expected to be going into mass production of its A14X processor for Apple Silicon Macs, a new report says it is developing a new desktop processor called the "A14T." This, plus an Apple-designed graphics processing unit are to be launched in 2021, and Apple is already designing a new "A15" series.

According to China Times, Apple has a research and development project codenamed Mt Jade, which is developing the new processors. The Apple-designed GPU is known internally as "Lifuka" — presumably named after the island in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Apple Silicon and A-series chip development rumor, credit ChinaTimes

"Lifuka," the "A14T," and the further "A15" processors are believed to all be built using TSMC's 5nm process. The iPhone 12 range uses TSMC's 5nm process.

TSMC has previously been reported to be basing Apple's "A16" chips on a 3nm process, with this processor having been expected to be in the iPhone and iPad in 2022.

According to China Times, the 2021 "iPhone 13" will use an "A15 Bionic" processor, based on an enhanced version of the 5nm process that TSMC will launch in 2021.

Reportedly, the first Apple Silicon Macs, expected in November, will use an "A14X" processor. The "A15 Bionic" for the iPhone is expected to enter production in the third quarter of 2021. The "A15T" is believed to follow at some point afterwards.

China Times expects TSMC to be building 5nm processors for other companies, including Qualcomm, Broadcom, and MediaTek. However, TSMC has recently reportedly been losing staff to rival companies.

85 Comments

h4y3s 85 comments · 9 Years

About 4 years ago

A silicon atom is only about 0.21 nm, so a 5nm process might be the limit for a while!

diz_geek 57 comments · 12 Years

“...and Apple is already designing a new "A15" series.

What?!?! Already designing the A15?!?! I’m shocked! Shocked, I tell you!!!

I though they just woke up one morning in September every year and said to themselves, “ya know, I think I’ll design the next generation A-series processor over lunch today...”. :p

entropys 4302 comments · 13 Years

I am discombobulated. An A15 in the works!

Must admit I am surprised at the separate GPU rumour. Could be a canary trap. As could also be the codename “Mt Jade” seeing as its coming from the China Times. Seems a bit obvious.

georgie01 437 comments · 8 Years

I wonder what the upgrade cycle will be for Macs with Apple processors, and how those processors will compare to mobile processors. If a Mac uses an A14 variant and then an iPhone/iPad is upgraded to an A15, will the Macs then be slower than iPhones and some Mac users feel the need to upgrade every year to have the fastest available? What Mac user is going to feel good about their Mac being slower than the next iPhone that comes out?

Or will the Mac variants of the processors be faster enough that an iPhone/iPad using next generation will still be slower?

It’s likely that the iMac variant will have additional cores as well as higher clock speeds, as they will be able to dissipate much more heat than the mobile devices. Similar to the iPad Pro with the A12X.