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Apple's Next-Generation A8 Chip Said to Top 2 GHz, Remain Dual-Core

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Besides a larger display, Apple's upcoming iPhone 6 also may feature a faster A8 processor that pushes the system-on-a-chip beyond the 2.0 GHz threshold, claims GforGames citing Chinese media source cnBeta [Google Translate].

chipworks_a7_floorplan.jpg
A7 transistor die photo from Chipworks​
According to the latest information, Apple will reportedly increase the CPU frequency of its next-generation SoC to 2.0 GHz or higher per core, up from the 1.3 GHz (iPhone 5s and Retina iPad mini) or 1.4 GHz (iPad Air) of the A7 processor. The chip will keep the 64-bit, dual-core architecture of the current generation A7 CPU, but will be manufactured with a 20-nm process instead of the A7's 28-nm. TSMC and Samsung are thought be the primary manufacturers that are producing the A8 chip for Apple's upcoming iOS devices.

Though competing phones ship with quad-core processors, Apple's possible decision to stay with a dual-core design may be the result of the company using a custom-designed chip optimized for iOS and not an off-the-shelf solution. This optimization already has been shown in the current dual-core A7, which offers "desktop class" performance that outperforms other players in the mobile phone marketplace. In its detailed analysis of the A7 after launch, AnandTech found that even though the A7's performance is top-notch, there was still room for improvement as almost no iOS app took full advantage of A7's available processing power.

Article Link: Apple's Next-Generation A8 Chip Said to Top 2 GHz, Remain Dual-Core
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/07/11/a8-2-ghz/
More than enough power for a phone. Although they'll scream they still want "quad core" ask them why?
 
I too find the A7 chip fast enough. What they need to do is add more ram as that would add the most noticeable performance input.
 
"almost no iOS app took full advantage of A7's available processing power" -Anandtech

That's coz developers are still focused on supporting all previous hardware to have the biggest market possible for more profits. Its only logical. But kudos to Apple for continuing with their processor roadmap. I hope this leads credence to more planned features like "desktop class" enhancements and eminent merging a few months from now. Mobile Era.
 
This seems impressive. I trust Apple to make these decisions so I won't complain about dual vs quad and whatever.


BUT, at just a glance I thought the title said "A8 to feature 2GB of RAM" and was like YES!
 
No need for quad core in phones or tablets. Dual core and 2GB-4GBs of ram is perfect. Give us more battery life...
 
I've never felt that I need more CPU power on my iOS devices thus far while using iPhone 5 and iPad Mini Retina. I couldn't care less about the CPU performance since it will be more than enough than I'll ever need. I do however feel the need for RAM. Please Apple, get with the times and give us at least 2GB of RAM so Safari doesn't have to crash all the time.
 
This make me feel so funny inside when I hear android phones sporting quad and octa cores and still inefficient as hell. I'm not saying android phones are slow. I'm saying they're very inefficient in their use of resources and try to make up for it with too many cores!
 
FINALLY some specs. The past year has been part leaks over and over and over. Finally something different.
 
I am not a familiar with CPU tech, but have some though about it.
PS3's chip was said to have so much power that not even the latest games take full advantage of the computing power of the chip.
On the other hand, frame rate drop when a horde of zombies chase after me. Clearly, PS3 system had bottle neck somewhere.
How many cores, 64 bit, how much ram, system overhead, such and such are all ear candies.
I would say, it seems apple is making a wise movement to stay with 2 cores, thinner fabrication, and probably more RAM.
The important key is, zombies can chase after me without making short distance teleportations.
 
theanimala said:
I too find the A7 chip fast enough. What they need to do is add more ram as that would add the most noticeable performance input.
Click to expand...

I think we're at the point where iOS hardware is outpacing the software. A8 will be wicked fast (approaching Macbook Air speeds in terms of raw processing power), but there are very few apps that can even use the A7 to its full potential.
 
While there is much to celebrate about the increase in performance and the obvious lower power consumption from die shrink, I would prefer Apple upgrade the architecture combined with a slight increase in clock speeds. This will not only bring even more significant power savings from the new architecture, but the slight increase in clock speeds could bring increasing returns to scale on performance. This, combined with the 20nm manufacturing process, would make the A8 the most powerful chip yet. Perhaps even more than the upcoming Snapdragon 810.
 
CausticPuppy said:
I think we're at the point where iOS hardware is outpacing the software. A8 will be wicked fast (approaching Macbook Air speeds in terms of raw processing power), but therehh are very few apps that can even use the A7 to its full potential.
Click to expand...

You mean the MBA from 2009, right? Yeah, it is definitely approaching those speeds.
 
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