Apple Supplier TSMC Begins Production on Processors Destined for 2018 iPhones

[rom3o]

Can't wait to see the benchmarks for A12X for the iPP, it's going to be a beast!

When I switched from the iPhone 6s to the 8+ I though it would feel so much snappier, since its benchmarks were so impressive. But frankly it doesn't feel that much faster as the score difference between the A9 and the A11 suggested (6s 2227 vs 8+ 4216 Geekbench).

Idk if iOS 11 isn't optimised enough to take full advantage of the hardware or if those benchmarks simply don't say much about the actual performance in day-to-day usage scenarios.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

it's the combination of both Apple and TSMC.

but to be honest: no one really notices a difference in real world usage anymore. most chips are more than fast enough for smartphone usage these days...
but less power usage is always nice.

I don't think that's true; imagine if Apple designed a fantastic chip then went to TSMC, or Samsung or Intel and say "can you make this?" and they all say "no" then Apple are left with a prototype on a computer screen.

 

[Abstract]

Only if companies start to hate money and profits.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

What's really cool is TMSC and GF 7nm surpasses Intel 14nm++ and Is actually slightly better than Intel's 10nm node which has been delayed for an additional 18 months!

SOURCE: https://www.semiwiki.com/forum/content/7191-iedm-2017-intel-versus-globalfoundries-leading-edge.html

Going forward, Apple, AMD, and Nvidia are going to have the process node advantage over Intel. This means two things:

1. Apple might start looking at AMD chips very seriously now, since Thunderbolt Support exists on Ryzen now, and AMD is pulling ahead
2. Apple might opt for a semi custom solution from AMD, since AMD does semi custom work.
3. Apple might skip AMD chips in favor of their own CPU's for mac desktops and laptops.

You should reread the performance conclusion at your cited source as it doesn't agree with your own. Here's why:

A) It's more complicated than the shorthand node size or even raw transistor density.

B) It's easier to make smaller chips (e.g., phone vs laptop) because of wafer yield.

Intel has not (yet) lost it's process advantage to the competition, but it's lead has shrunk considerably as ALL manufacturers are running into increasingly difficult physics to overcome to gain the next 10% improvement.

So the real take away is that the gains from each new process and between competing processes are going to be smaller and smaller going forward.

 

[alwaysbeincontact]

This looks interesting!

 

[Michael Goff]

Don't you mean TSMC has the lead; Apple isn't making anything; you can say they designed them but if the can't make them those designs go unused.

No, because TSMC doesn’t design chips. They’re great at making them, but they don’t design crap. Or do you say Foxconn did a great job on whatever phone or laptop or tablet you’re using?

 

[Col4bin]

I need that X Plus. Can’t wait!

 

[AvisDeene]

I’ll wait for the iPhone with micro-LED to come out. I like the headphone jack too much, I’ve tried Bluetooth and have come to the conclusion that it’s tech isn’t quite there yet. Sound isn’t as good as my $25 wired Sony headphones, and the microphones are up to par either.

My iPhone 6s Plus is chugging along nicely and does everything I need it to. I’ll just make sure to replace the battery for 29 bucks before that deal ends, and not to upgrade to iOS 12 and beyond.

 

[twinlight]

Looks good the next iPhone but add some memory please. Cheap Android phones are selling with 4, 6 or even 8 GB. Please Apple add 4 GB to your phones and 8 GB to the iPad lineup.

 

[Princejb134]

it's the combination of both Apple and TSMC.

but to be honest: no one really notices a difference in real world usage anymore. most chips are more than fast enough for smartphone usage these days...
but less power usage is always nice.

so true. Im still using my iphone 6s and this phone is still fast. Had a few hiccups this year though. Its starting to show its age

 

[jouster]

So.....what I *think* I'm hearing is that the A5x in my third gen iPad might be a little long in the tooth. Hmmmmm...

 

[Baymowe335]

Even if that was remotely true,what’s the point? It hardly matters these days since you can hardly tell on most smartphones. Apple never exploit it; every year a new chip and a new IOS and basically everything is just about the same.

Have to think bigger than just today. Progress in processors always leads to bigger and better apps, functionality, and longer usable lifespans. The A11 will be a fast processor for years and new apps can always optimize for it as they are developed.

A11 also introduced neural networks for FaceID and surely future functionality.

I would never say progress on chips doesn’t matter, even if you don’t see benefits in early generations. One of the reasons IPhones are usable longer than a couple years is the processor.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Love my iPhone X, but discovered recently a sneaky little AI feature. If it detects your presence, it lowers the ringer so much can hardly hear it. I had so many missed calls. I was able to fix it by turning off attentive aware, but this in return triggered another issue; when I'm reading, the display automatically dims. So, I might have to turn it on again.

This years iPhone upgrade will likely be a hit (when has it never been) since Apple will drop the price and bring the technology across all SKU's. For me, I'm all iPhoned out and probably won't be in the market until things like 5G is widely available, which is likely 2020 or 2021.

 

[macduke]

Finally. The A11 is unbearably slow.

/s

 

[maine82]

No, because TSMC doesn’t design chips. They’re great at making them, but they don’t design crap. Or do you say Foxconn did a great job on whatever phone or laptop or tablet you’re using?

to add on to your comment, apple actually manufactures their own chips in house first, and then works with manufacturers like TSMC to mass produce them on a larger scale.

 

[citysnaps]

to add on to your comment, apple actually manufactures their own chips in house first, and then works with manufacturers like TSMC to mass produce them on a larger scale.

No. Apple does not have their own silicon foundry, which is needed to manufacture chips.

 

[Fender2112]

Looks good the next iPhone but add some memory please. Cheap Android phones are selling with 4, 6 or even 8 GB. Please Apple add 4 GB to your phones and 8 GB to the iPad lineup.

iPhone 8 has 64GB and 256GB options.
iPhone 7 had 32GB and 128GB options.

 

[NT1440]

No. Apple does not have their own silicon foundry, which is needed to manufacture chips.

Yes, yes they do. It’s a small one for pre-production, but they do.

 

[639051]

I have the 8 Plus and honestly I wont be upgrading and keeping it as long as I possibly can. I DO NOT like Face ID whatsoever. I owned the 10 for a couple of months and liked many features on it but just did not like Face ID. While there are situations where Touch ID didn't work well (wet fingers, etc) there were as many instances where Face ID didn't work for one reason or another. Touch ID was just simpler to use AND had the benefit where I could register my wife's fingerprint so she could unlock my phone if needed.

Granted this is first gen Face ID, I still don't like the concept over Touch ID, not really an issue with functionality but more an issue with use case.

 

[maine82]

No. Apple does not own their own silicon foundry, which is needed to manufacture chips.

No. Apple does not have their own silicon foundry, which is needed to manufacture chips.

What I mean is that apple actually designs the chips in-house first, then outsources the manufacturing to TSMC.

 

[citysnaps]

Yes, yes they do. It’s a small one for pre-production, but they do.

Really. Post some links referencing Apple having their own in-house foundry. They don't.

If you really understood what a foundry is, especially one needed for the geometries and processes required for Apple's chips, you'd know why they don't.

 

[639051]

iPhone 8 has 64GB and 256GB options.
iPhone 7 had 32GB and 128GB options.

Memory != storage. I do think these could benefit from 4GB RAM, I mean why not except for that Apple hates to give any little extra. Android does need the extra memory though, it is very apparent when it starts to run low.

 

[dampfnudel]

Will it be faster than A11?

Of course, but to be honest, the A11 is overkill for most users now. The extra 1GB of RAM may be welcomed by some, but even 3GB now seems to be more than enough in most situations. The X is damn powerful.

 

[MacBH928]

If they build new processors the consumer should feel the difference, I will not pay $600 for a new phone that does everything my 2 year old phone does exactly except 0.01sec faster.

I know Apple can't have breakthrough processor speeds on yearly basis, but if I won't feel the difference then its better to not offer it and hold off. I have iPhone 6 that feels pretty similar in function to my iPhone 7. In fact, with less data and apps on it, it might feel snappier.

 

[NT1440]

Really. Post some links referencing Apple having their own in-house foundry. They don't.

If you really understood what a foundry is, especially one needed for the geometries and processes required for Apple's chips, you'd know why they don't.

Now, obviously we don’t know exactly what they’re doing there, but they own a foundry. Please don’t come back at me about it being too small for production runs, obviously Apple is never going to actually manufacture their own chips for their released items. This lab is likely for pre-production runs for testing/development/production logistics 2+ years before anything gets stood up for actual production.

https://iphone.appleinsider.com/art...t-athena-chip-fab-gets-new-delicate-equipment

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1328505