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Tweaked Apple TV Contains Die-Shrunk A5 Chip, Not A5X

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appletv32_a5-250x252.jpg
Back in late January, an update to the Apple TV software revealed a new "AppleTV3,2", with FCC documents for the device showing up the following day. By digging into the software files for this new device, it was discovered that the device appeared to be using an A5X chip rather than the single-core A5 chip found in the third-generation Apple TV.

This conclusion was based on the chip carrying an identifier of S5L8947 compared to the S5L8945 seen on the original A5X. A similar move was made when Apple rolled out a die shrink of the A5 in the third-generation Apple TV last year, shifting from the original S5L8940 to the smaller S5L8942.

According to Apple, this latest Apple TV update was designed to be invisible to users, offering no changes in features.

Apple's tweaked third-generation Apple TV, which carries a part number of A1469 compared to an A1427 part number for the original version, has now begun making its way into Apple's retail store stocks, and we have purchased one and cracked it open to examine its internals.

Most notably, the tweaked third-generation Apple TV does not contain an A5X chip. Instead, it contains an A5 chip like its predecessor, although the new chip is considerably smaller than the previous one.

apple_tv_3_2_a5.jpg

The original A5 chip introduced in 2011 for the iPad 2 was built on a 45-nanometer process, measuring 10.09 mm by 12.15 mm, while the first die-shrunk A5 introduced in 2012 for the third-generation Apple TV and the tweaked iPad 2 measured 41% smaller at 8.19 mm by 8.68 mm.

This new A5 found in the tweaked third-generation Apple TV is considerably smaller still, with our measurements putting the chip at just 6 mm by 6 mm.

We do not know for sure what Apple is using to produce this even smaller A5, but it is very possible that the company is piloting a 28-nanometer process from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for this new chip. Such a move would be a major development, making this A5 the first iOS device processor to be manufactured by a company other than Samsung. Samsung is also moving to a 28-nanometer process for its fab in Austin, Texas where it produces chips for Apple, but the facility will reportedly not be ready for mass production at that scale until late this year.

TSMC has been rumored to be coming on board for A6X chip production for the current iPad, as well as for future chips using even smaller processes.

Article Link: Tweaked Apple TV Contains Die-Shrunk A5 Chip, Not A5X
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/03/10/tweaked-apple-tv-contains-die-shrunk-a5-chip-not-a5x/
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ConCat

ConCat

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Jul 27, 2012
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In an ethereal plane of existence.
I don't see why it would have contained an A5X chip. The A5X was the same chip as the A5, just with more GPU cores. The AppleTV does not need them.

01100110 01101001 01110010 01110011 01110100
 
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Moonjumper

Moonjumper

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Jun 20, 2009
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This silent update could have major implications if it is a 28-nanometer die test. I'm looking forward to seeing less power and space taken up by the electronics, giving more battery space that is put under less demand. Or allows for new features.
 
T

TsMkLg068426

macrumors 65816
Mar 31, 2009
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Waiting for Amazon Prime added to Apple TV and other streaming apps until than I will wait for the next generation Apple TV, whenever that is.
 
M

maxosx

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Dec 13, 2012
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While I most certainly appreciate _All_ the news MacRumors brings us, it's things like this that are so trivial, that the average buyer doesn't care about.

It's a reflection of anything bigger to report on, like something truly substantial to report about regarding the next iPhone.
 
daneoni

daneoni

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Mar 24, 2006
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Apple TV seems to now be a testbed for Apple's Tick (die shrink) cycle of A-series chip manufacturing.
 
gmanist1000

gmanist1000

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Sep 22, 2009
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TsMkLg068426 said:
Waiting for Amazon Prime added to Apple TV and other streaming apps until than I will wait for the next generation Apple TV, whenever that is.
Click to expand...

I have an Apple TV, but I want this. And HBO Go.

Edit: And NFL Sunday Ticket :(
 
Last edited:
Jaro65

Jaro65

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ConCat said:
I don't see why it would have contained an A5X chip. The A5X was the same chip as the A5, just with more GPU cores. The AppleTV does not need them.

0110011001101001011100100111001101110100
Click to expand...

That is true. Not unless Apple wants to open Apple TV to a third party app development....
 
Mr Fusion

Mr Fusion

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May 7, 2007
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gmanist1000 said:
I have an Apple TV, but I want this. And HBO Go.
Click to expand...
... Or they could just open up the platform to developers...

... Like they should have years ago...

... So you don't have to wait for Apple to add features at a glacial pace...

... :rolleyes:
 
C

carl0sian

macrumors regular
Oct 30, 2011
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I love my Apple TV but it is lacking serious content when compared to other devices like the roku 3. :apple:


I'll stick my with Apple TV 3 for now
 
Semester

Semester

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Oct 27, 2011
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maxosx said:
While I most certainly appreciate _All_ the news MacRumors brings us, it's things like this that are so trivial, that the average buyer doesn't care about.

It's a reflection of anything bigger to report on, like something truly substantial to report about regarding the next iPhone.
Click to expand...

This is the first Apple chip with 28nm die size. Since the chips are of enormous importance to the products this is a pretty big deal. The more Apple can reduce the die size the more other stuff such as battery or other silicon can be added to the products.
 
C

commander.data

macrumors 65816
Nov 10, 2006
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It makes sense that the A5X wasn't used because the A5X uses external DRAM on the PCB rather than the stacked DRAM of the A5. That means Apple would have had to redesign the internal layout of the Apple TV, which would be quite a bit of work for a silent update.

I wonder if there are any plans to silent refresh the iPad Mini, iPhone 4S or 5th gen Touch with this 28nm A5? The 28nm A5 on the face of it seems like a great candidate for the low-cost iPhone, but several reports seem to name some form of A6.
 
Tankmaze

Tankmaze

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Mar 7, 2012
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Whats the point in using shrunken chip, and not the new one.
My guess is this chip only makes it harder to jailbreak.

Still waiting jailbreak on my atv3 :(
 
APlotdevice

APlotdevice

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Sep 3, 2011
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Hmm... A smaller A5 could be a useful component in both the rumored budget iPhone and iWatch. Or even just to upgrade the low-end iPod touch.

ConCat said:
I don't see why it would have contained an A5X chip. The A5X was the same chip as the A5, just with more GPU cores. The AppleTV does not need them.

0110011001101001011100100111001101110100
Click to expand...

The prevailing theory was that Apple would use the partially defective die-shrunk A5Xs in the AppleTV as they ramp up that chip's production for the next iPad Mini. Similar to what they did with the current hardware.
 
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theBB

theBB

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Jan 3, 2006
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We do not know for sure what Apple is using to produce this even smaller A5, but it is very possible that the company is piloting a 28-nanometer process from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for this new chip.
Click to expand...
Or from Intel or Global Foundries or UMC.... In any case, companies such as ChipIdea can easily strip one down and figure out the foundry. There must be a lot of investors curious about this.
 
quagmire

quagmire

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Apr 19, 2004
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Tankmaze said:
Whats the point in using shrunken chip, and not the new one.
My guess is this chip only makes it harder to jailbreak.

Still waiting jailbreak on my atv3 :(
Click to expand...

As mentioned, the Apple TV with its relatively low production has become the test bed for new CPU's on a new process. Last year it used the defective A5's with only one of the cores working on the 32 nm process which worked out the quirks for the revised A5 for the iPad 2 and A6 for iPhone 5.

Apparently the further revised A5 is testing out TSMC's 28nm process before the A7 comes out for the iPhone 5S using the same 28nm process.
 
ghost187

ghost187

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Mar 18, 2010
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I know this will improve battery life once implemented on the iPhone 5S (I highly doubt apple TV will move to 28nm and iphone get left behind) but my main gripe is the LTE and Dual Carrier 3G that eat up battery, plus the GPS, but I'm not sure if it is the GPS specifically or the network only that causes batter drains.
 
lolkthxbai

lolkthxbai

macrumors 65816
May 7, 2011
1,426
489
Tankmaze said:
Whats the point in using shrunken chip, and not the new one.
My guess is this chip only makes it harder to jailbreak.

Still waiting jailbreak on my atv3 :(
Click to expand...
A die shrink typically means lower production costs and higher percent yield from the same size wafer. Considering they went from roughly 10mm X 12mm to 6mm X 6mm means they've nearly quadrupled their yield. Also, if I'm not mistaken, it uses less power and runs cooler(?)

Anyways, Apple could just be testing out TSMC's new process and might even decide to have them produce the "AX" chip for the rumored "iWatch" based on this. But that's just my guessing and speculation.
 
T

treichert

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Nov 7, 2007
398
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Aachen, Germany
I never understood why anyone believed it would contain the A5X. What would an Apple TV catering to 1080p displays do with 4 times the GPU of an iPad 2?
 
theBB

theBB

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Jan 3, 2006
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commander.data said:
I wonder if there are any plans to silent refresh the iPad Mini, iPhone 4S or 5th gen Touch with this 28nm A5? The 28nm A5 on the face of it seems like a great candidate for the low-cost iPhone, but several reports seem to name some form of A6.
Click to expand...
Keeping an A5 in this low cost iPhone would help, but there has got be some other cost savings to bring its price below 4S. An iPhone with a larger screen, but the same resolution as 5 sounds more likely as a new iPhone model alongside 5S this year.
 
C

commander.data

macrumors 65816
Nov 10, 2006
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quagmire said:
Apparently the further revised A5 is testing out TSMC's 28nm process before the A7 comes out for the iPhone 5S using the same 28nm process.
Click to expand...
Has TSMC actually been confirmed? Samsung's 28nm process may not be as behind as MacRumors is saying. Samsung has already demoed their 28nm Exynos 8 and it seems likely to be introduced with the Galaxy S4 being announced this week.

theBB said:
Keeping an A5 in this low cost iPhone would help, but there has got be some other cost savings to bring its price below 4S. An iPhone with a larger screen, but the same resolution as 5 sounds more likely as a new iPhone model alongside 5S this year.
Click to expand...
I thought the glass/metal design of the iPhone4/4S was a major cost contributor? Going plastic should be a big help.
 
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