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How to tell if you have MLC or TLC flash iPhone 6/6 Plus
- Thread starter MarcusCarpenter
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My 64gb iPhone is MLC and my 128gb iPad is TLC. Neither has problems 
Obviously the air 2 is faster, but the extra RAM makes it hard to compare the two.
Obviously the air 2 is faster, but the extra RAM makes it hard to compare the two.
Well, that's the issue. If there are defective TLC NAND chips that have been used still floating around, then I'd rather have an MLC NAND chip in my 1000-dollar phone.
If they get this issue sorted out by next year, I won't care what chip I have, as long as it functions the way I want.
For the record, I tested my devices set up with my iCloud backup AND as new iPhones. Still had issues. I'm not thinking it's my backup, else they'd not crash when set up as new.
I hear ya but knowing Apple, I think if anything we'll see all TLC later and maybe affected NAND replaced if anything but it seems like TLC is the route to go especially since they have primarily with iPad Air2's. If they really did blow the whole thing going TLC, I think they are in for a rude awakening from this years >16GB crowd of iOS devices over time getting shoved back in their faces.
Totally anecdotal, but I feel like MLC 64's seem to be more prevalent around launch time, and if anything, sort of phased out. Both parents' launch 6 64's are Toshiba MLC whereas my mid-November latest shipment at the time was Toshiba TLC (though a 6+, but still). Still here and there, but sort of like a good screen-- tough! Most are acceptably piss yellow. I think given Apple knows a large amount of their devices have TLC by company A, B, C, they will have the firmware tuned out for the controller in due time if they havent already. my TLC device has been relatively smooth sailing, doesnt seem to be something hardware impacted.
My 6+ screen is a gem as is the build.
There are so many variables that go into the device you replace it with, not just MLC or TLC, I feel like it's a gamble and a half. With rMBP (from reading here, I still have my 2011 Air and loving it), it seemed to be SSD and screen people were most up in arms about, and a defect free screen too, but with iPhone, there is a ton of conceivable things that could and do go wrong with individual builds. I have a friend with MLC 6 64 and he was saying there was tons of crashes compared to his 5 on iOS 7 but its sort of panned out.
You got vibrate, dead/stuck pixels, even screen, good screen quality, earpiece speaker, speaker itself, not heating up easily, a good clear camera not one that flares all the time, no dents or weird things on the back aluminum (though doesnt bother me at all, most concerned about screen, build, and reliability), headphone jack on some being a real PITA to take in and out, SIM tray not flush, backlight bleed through the vibrate switch, evenly cut rounded glass no jaggedy looking refurb stuff, good battery life, touch ID not being a fail sensor or really wiggly, etc.
Just observations from handling a handful of 6 and 6+ devices
Totally anecdotal, but I feel like MLC 64's seem to be more prevalent around launch time, and if anything, sort of phased out. Both parents' launch 6 64's are Toshiba MLC whereas my mid-November latest shipment at the time was Toshiba TLC (though a 6+, but still). Still here and there, but sort of like a good screen-- tough! Most are acceptably piss yellow. I think given Apple knows a large amount of their devices have TLC by company A, B, C, they will have the firmware tuned out for the controller in due time if they havent already. my TLC device has been relatively smooth sailing, doesnt seem to be something hardware impacted.
My 6+ screen is a gem as is the build.
There are so many variables that go into the device you replace it with, not just MLC or TLC, I feel like it's a gamble and a half. With rMBP (from reading here, I still have my 2011 Air and loving it), it seemed to be SSD and screen people were most up in arms about, and a defect free screen too, but with iPhone, there is a ton of conceivable things that could and do go wrong with individual builds. I have a friend with MLC 6 64 and he was saying there was tons of crashes compared to his 5 on iOS 7 but its sort of panned out.
You got vibrate, dead/stuck pixels, even screen, good screen quality, earpiece speaker, speaker itself, not heating up easily, a good clear camera not one that flares all the time, no dents or weird things on the back aluminum (though doesnt bother me at all, most concerned about screen, build, and reliability), headphone jack on some being a real PITA to take in and out, SIM tray not flush, backlight bleed through the vibrate switch, evenly cut rounded glass no jaggedy looking refurb stuff, good battery life, touch ID not being a fail sensor or really wiggly, etc.
Just observations from handling a handful of 6 and 6+ devices
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Just checked on my TLC 128GB iPhone 6 (bought and restored on day one): ZERO crashes.
I can get a second hand iPhone 6+ for £200 cheaper than new. It's in great condition but put off by likelihood of TLC. Is this an issue not to buy?
Not really. It should have the remainder of the year of factory warranty on it and Apple will repair/replace it if you have issues with the device later.
My 6 Plus has MLC so I'm not asking for personal reasons - just in general.
Going by the majority, a lot of people are disappointed when they found out theirs is equipped with TLC, issues or not.
Apple won't let you exchange your device because you think you might have problems in the future. There is no recall; it's an update in their manufacturing which, believe it or not, happens a lot more frequently than you would think.
Maybe because the MLC NAND is not having the issues. It's the TLC. Do at least try to keep up.
A lot of people? Just a bunch of people here and in forums like this.
Everyone understanding NAND technology knows that TLC aren't less reliable than MLC in the medium and short range. And aren't even slower....
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I'd like to see someone trying to return a perfectly working device because he read on a forum that an unaccounted source said that maybe there was a batch of defective NAND modules....
A lot of people? Just a bunch of people here and in forums like this.
Everyone understanding NAND technology knows that TLC aren't less reliable than MLC in the medium and short range. And aren't even slower....
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I'd like to see someone trying to return a perfectly working device because he read on a forum that an unaccounted source said that maybe there was a batch of defective NAND modules....
MLC flash has approximately three times the service life of TLC flash. So as well as skimping on RAM, Apple are equipping some iPhones with budget quality flash storage. This isn't good news for those who pass their phones onto family members when they upgrade, or for those intending on keeping their expensive device for three or four years. Of course those who upgrade yearly will have no problems.
Omg you are keep spreading false information on this forum to put Apple products in bad light.....
Yes, TLC has a shorter lifespan compared to MLC, so a 64 Mb chip will probably last..... 6-7 years and not 15 !!!!
And this only if you fill it above 80% of its capacity all the time.....
Have you ever heard about Samsung 840 Series SSD? Among the most reliable and performing in the consumer market, using TLC.
If you were buying an iPhone, would you rather it came with MLC or TLC flash memory? You could get either, and one will last three times longer than the other. The longevity isn't measured in years, merely the number of write executions performed. Sure these should last a couple of years, but the fact remains that MLC flash will last three times as long as TLC. I'm not spreading false information, it's factual, and Apple use both MLC & TLC flash. They obviously bought a job lot of TLC because it's cheaper than MLC ;-)
Again, wrong informations.
A TLC NAND will last several years, not just a couple.
MLC are slower in most of the reads, so your picture of the "cheap" TLC is plain wrong, since sequential reads are the most prominent in smartphone usage.
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TLC flash is cheaper for a reason and as some iPhones have MLC, I would prefer that spec. I didn't say that it would only last a couple of years, merely that it should last (at least) a couple of years. As MLC flash lasts three times as long and there is no argument to support TLC being better, why would you not prefer it?
I mean honestly anyone still using a 4.5 year old phone (looking at you, iPhone 4) that still would be well within TLC spec lifetime, even if constantly using and reading/writing is entering a world of pain for completely unrelated reasons to the NAND-- just for the fact that RAM and SoC improvements are monumental over that timespan on mobile platforms and the business model is more $$$ hungry to instill planned obsolescence whereas on x86, my 2011 MBA still feels zippy as can be. All things relative, I'd prefer longevity of MLC on paper. It's the principle that miffs me, but Apple cuts costs all the time in practice. There's likely been other manufacturing cuts from 5s and previous models that we aren't actively aware of, either, that are much more impactful.
I know one most people aren't aware of and has continued to be pulled and actually deteriorates the experience significantly (for me) is the screen. Mine is an absolute gem. I don't know how most of the general public isn't just not nitpicky like myself, but fails to see horrid yellow screens and bad quality ones and multiple hue ones. When I bought a 5 again second hand early last year after switching back over from Nexus 5 upon iOS 7 jailbreak coming out, it had a yellow band over the top. But I couldnt complain (I mean I could but...) since I got a 32gb 5 for $250 and it worked perfect and I ironed out most of the ugliness with Color Profiles, I coped. But, when there's a return policy and I'm paying a premium price (out of pocket retail) I demand more. And I don't think it's much to put an Iphone 6 screen against my 5 screen which was a not good one, and prefer the quality of the 5. YES! this happened with a few iPhone 6's I had. Deplorable.. And I won't stop wanting a good screen (even if not the absolute best, but one I don't notice right away as being crap), but to save time, I'd rather stay on a slower phone with a beautiful screen than take some compromises.
Also, this might bother 6+'ers, but the additional cost to Apple going from 6 to 6+ was speculated to be $15 at launch, probably less so now. I don't think Apple spends more than +$20 to get 64gig chips and that's probably being conservative with economies of scale in effect by now and the phone being out for 4 months.
..Am I wrong?
I know one most people aren't aware of and has continued to be pulled and actually deteriorates the experience significantly (for me) is the screen. Mine is an absolute gem. I don't know how most of the general public isn't just not nitpicky like myself, but fails to see horrid yellow screens and bad quality ones and multiple hue ones. When I bought a 5 again second hand early last year after switching back over from Nexus 5 upon iOS 7 jailbreak coming out, it had a yellow band over the top. But I couldnt complain (I mean I could but...) since I got a 32gb 5 for $250 and it worked perfect and I ironed out most of the ugliness with Color Profiles, I coped. But, when there's a return policy and I'm paying a premium price (out of pocket retail) I demand more. And I don't think it's much to put an Iphone 6 screen against my 5 screen which was a not good one, and prefer the quality of the 5. YES! this happened with a few iPhone 6's I had. Deplorable.. And I won't stop wanting a good screen (even if not the absolute best, but one I don't notice right away as being crap), but to save time, I'd rather stay on a slower phone with a beautiful screen than take some compromises.
Also, this might bother 6+'ers, but the additional cost to Apple going from 6 to 6+ was speculated to be $15 at launch, probably less so now. I don't think Apple spends more than +$20 to get 64gig chips and that's probably being conservative with economies of scale in effect by now and the phone being out for 4 months.
..Am I wrong?
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You keep spreading fud about iPhone, just for the sake of it.
Your knowledge about NAND should be very limited, since you keep reporting wrong data read I don't know where....
A short conclusion about TLC NAND, following a real life test....
Even though we consider the SSD to have died after 3187 cycles, the first broken sectors were reported after 2945 cycles, as mentioned above. At that moment, we had written over 726000 GiB (or over 779538 GB) to the SSD. Given a normal use of 10 GB of written data per day, this means that the SSD would last for more than 198 years. Note, however, that we wrote the data virtually linearly to the SSD, which means that the so-called Write Amplification Factor (WAF) is very low. Write Amplification, writing more data than is actually sent to the SSD, is more common in daily practice than in our test; removing data happens in blocks of 512 kB, whereas writing is done in segments of 4 kB or 8 kB. In order to control this adequately, the controller moves data around, something which also occurs with wear levelling, the process by which the SSD ensures that the writes, re-writes and erasures are distributed evenly across the segments.
In short, the WAF in our test is 1, whereas it probably will be three times that in the real world. This means that we have to divide the lifespan of the SSD by three. 198 years becomes only 66 years. Still quite good in our book.
66 years for a Samsung 840, considering a write/read traffic enormously bigger than what you can reach on a smartphone. Even if you would divide that estimate per six, we are still speaking about 10 years of estimated life, writing reading 10 Gb/day.
All this complaining about TLC are utterly ridiculous.
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We don't have a Samsung 840 in our iPhones, and my friend's 128GB Samsung SSD died after three months. We can find individual cases to back up our arguments with ease, but the fact remains that TLC is inferior to MLC. My 6+ has TLC flash and I would rather it had MLC.
Seriously.... Your friend's SSD????
Is this your argumentation ?! Individual cases??? Samsung 840 series are the most successful SSD ever, and you are still defending your wrong position ?
The NAND inside are identical to those inside your poor, hated iPhone, technologically speaking....
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What exactly are you trying to defend here, apart from Apple's honour? TLC is inferior to MLC. I would prefer MLC flash in my iPhone 6+ given the choice. What is so difficult to accept about this? TLC isn't quite as fast overall, it doesn't last anywhere near as long, and there are reports of TLC flash causing problems with certain iPhones. All in all, given the choice most would choose MLC. Apple puts TLC flash into some phones purely because it is cheaper, so how can you defend that?
For sure TLC have shorter life, but I think it's totally irrelevant if the expected life is 50 years or 150 years. Most other components will break far before that, and the phone will be totally obsolete anyway.
The only relevant parameter is performance; and the specific TLC chip used in iPhone 6 is faster than MLC.