If the teardown websites had never done their thing -- the consumer-side may have NEVER EVER known about a difference. Let that sink in for a second.... OK, now go ahead and post your .02 on it. We're almost at 300 posts in this thread!
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A9 Chip Manufacturing Split 60/40 Between TSMC and Samsung, Not Segmented by Device Size
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BJonson
macrumors 6502a
That is because they were testing the Samsung chip, not the TSMC version.
"The A9 uses a dual-core ARM CPU based on a custom 64-bit CPU architecture, continuing to refine the 64-bit design in the A7 and A8. Geekbench reports that the CPU runs at 1.84GHz, a significant increase from the 1.4GHz Apple A8 in the iPhone 6 family. We’re not sure of some details—the particular GPU model or manufacturing process, though ChipWorks thinks it was made by Samsung".
balamw
Moderator emeritus
Keep reading: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/0...ng-and-tsmc-are-making-the-a9-chip-for-apple/
The story is evolving. I'd follow Ars' lead and avoid any definitive statements at this point.
B
BJonson
macrumors 6502a
I don't think I would follow Ars' lead if they can't even verify who makes the chip they were testing when its clearly an easy test. LOL.
balamw
Moderator emeritus
The point is: wait. People will do in depth testing to try and figure this all out.
Until those tests are available, we have no evidence that TSMC/Samsung is the differentiator. In fact here in this thread we have one user claiming two TSMC devices with different behavior side by side.
B
So perhaps it could be as simple as just one bad batch? There are just so few of us and it's sporadic. Mine definitely has bad battery life and the freezing, it's not intolerable but it is a tad weird compared with all other iPhones I've had. It's not really lag as much as it is just a complete freeze up for like a second. Lag I can still see the device reacting, this is more like it just stops reacting all together. I wish I could explain this in more technical terms, I'm just really hoping my device will settle in.
balamw
Moderator emeritus
FWIW. My 14 year old was telling me about something much like this he was experiencing on his iPhone 5. Many times when he would flip from portrait to landscape the phone became unresponsive. This is on 8.4.1 on hardware he got as a replacement for shattered screen less than a month ago.
Must be the TSMC A9 chip they installed. 🙄
B
That's a little ironic considering evidence shows Samsung took TSMC's tech. Their cpu fab tech pretty much caught up overnight. Look up TSMC's former employee and how he and Samsung evaded his non-compete through..."clever" means. Granted...TSMC was pretty dumb to let someone so senior go in the first place, but the irony remains.
I've spoken to friends from various industries, and there's always talk about how Samsung magically catches up in certain techs...the Japanese brands vs Samsung tv wars is interesting as well...basically violate trade agreements and defer trials for as long as possible while charging less $ to the consumer until your opponent's war chest dwindles.
I don't have rotation enabled, and do you even know what chip is in his iPhone 5 anyways? I'm having a serious issue with my device, so instead of trying to debunk it, why not help those of us who have issues figure out what could be the cause?
Yeah, "Just return/exchange it", I want to but the rest of the device is perfect. There is no guarantee I'll get a better device by doing this. I might end up with worse.
I've disabled just about everything on this phone but my battery life is very bad, does it take time for an OS to settle in? I'm going to play with it more today and see if it's specific settings are causing the freezes.
balamw
Moderator emeritus
I know it's an A6!
If it is a hardware problem, replacing the device is really all you can do.
My wife just bought a 5S last weekend (yeah I know) to replace her 5. It has a major issue that I think is electronic noise from the charging circuit.
It's the only device with a lightning port we have in the house that won't play music through and old iHome dock and Apple lightning adapter. It also seems to drop off the network when we plug it in to charge and has run very hot on several occasions.
It'll have to go back. That's all we can do.
Sometimes you just get a lemon.
B
BJonson, you're really into heating up this ridiculous non issue, speculating all over the place. Come on now.
He's got to be a troll, surely. No one spouts that much garbage without looking for a reaction.
Yeah, that is true. I wonder if my local Apple store has stock of my device. I really don't like returning stuff for fear of getting something worse. However, my phone just died in the 30 minutes I was using it. It was charged at 100%, something is definitely wrong with it...
Harthag
macrumors 68030
Have you tried doing a factory reset / restore through iTunes? Set up as a new phone if possible. I never restore my previous backups onto a new iPhone, always set up as new. Have never had any odd iOS problems or other issues. If this doesn't get rid of your issues don't waste any more of your time. Take it to an Apple store to be replaced.
Mine was originally setup as new and started giving me trouble before I even installed my first app (Freeze during unlock). I guess back it goes.
Harthag
macrumors 68030
Yeah, that stinks. Good luck with the replacement.
Harthag
macrumors 68030
Someone in another thread has a 6s+ that has been overheating to the point where he gets warning messages. He looked up his CPU and he has.... a Samsung chip!! Oh noez!! Here's the link, post #12.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-6s-overheat-issues.1923008/
BJonson, comment?
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-6s-overheat-issues.1923008/
BJonson, comment?
So much misinformation and general lack of technical understanding in this thread. The chips are the same size. Only the die/track widths differ. The outer casing (chip) is the same.
People should stop looking for problems.
People should stop looking for problems.
Harthag
macrumors 68030
Don't quote me as I could be wrong, but I believe the Apple Stores carry a reserve stock for returns. Best bet is to reserve an appointment at the Genius Bar– this will definitely save you time.
Yup.
If you have the larger chip and you lay the phone face down, the uneven weight will actually flip it back over to the other side.
shinkansenwarrior
macrumors 6502
6S Space Grey 64GB iOS9.0.1 with KDDI Japanese Carrier .... Samsung chip inside and no issues whatsoever.
....guess I am in the minority pool.... a smaller chip is better for smaller scale modals..no?
I guess we wait for conclusive facts as they come in.
....guess I am in the minority pool.... a smaller chip is better for smaller scale modals..no?
I guess we wait for conclusive facts as they come in.