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Sources in Apple's supply chain are suggesting that "lower-than-expected" yield rates for the 10-nanometer manufacturing process could "disrupt the schedule" of next year's iPad launch, previously rumored to be coming in March 2017 (via DigiTimes). Specifically, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung are said to be facing the biggest issues with their 10nm processes, and TSMC's in turn has the potential to delay production for the A10X chips in the next-generation of iPads.

Apple typically sticks to the same manufacturing process for "X" labeled chips, and the current-generation A10 chip was crafted using the 16-nanometer process. The move to a more efficient 10nm chip in a new iPad line, while still unconfirmed, would go towards making the tablet more power efficient and able to fuel a speedier operating system experience for users.

ipadprodesign-1.jpg
TSMC has reportedly obtained 10nm chip orders from Apple, HiSilicon and MediaTek, with volume production set to kick off in the first quarter of 2017. Nevertheless, yield rates for TSMC's 10nm process technology are not what the foundry expected, the sources said.

TSMC is scheduled to start making Apple's A10X chips for the next-generation iPad series slated for launch in March 2017. Unsatisfactory yields for the foundry's 10nm process could disrupt the schedule, the sources indicated.
Recent rumors suggest that the 2017 line of iPads will include three models: refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions, along with an all-new bezel-free 10.9-inch model. The new bezel-free model is said to be a thicker iPad at 7.5mm (the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro measures 6.1mm) and not include a Home Button. The specific size of the new iPad has varied in reports, including rumors that it will be 10.1 inches, 10.5 inches, and -- most recently -- 10.9 inches.

In the same report, DigiTimes mentioned that TSMC is also gearing up to produce A11 chips in the upcoming "iPhone 8." According to supply chain sources, volume production for those chips is expected to begin in Q2 2017, which aligns with Apple's annual September iPhone launch schedule.

Article Link: Rumored March 2017 iPad Update in Question Due to Poor Chip Yield Rates
 

magicschoolbus

macrumors 68020
May 27, 2014
2,461
7,968
does anyone really need a "faster" iPad? It's an internet reading device...
Applications grow and begin to take up more and more processing power.. so yes..

my iPad Air is getting very slow and i probably will not put the newest OS on it when it is released.
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It would mess up their schedule so I think TSMC will prioritise Apple.
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No it's a professional machine that can replace a computer. It even has more I/O 'ports' than the 12" MacBook.
What's a computer?
 

stevet

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2009
584
929
Applications grow and begin to take up more and more processing power.. so yes..

my iPad Air is getting very slow and i probably will not put the newest OS on it when it is released.
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What's a computer?

You're machine does not get slower it just isn't as fasted the new processors. Give me an example of an application that's grown to the point of needing a faster processor?
 
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oneMadRssn

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
5,961
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A lot of folks in the industry are saying 10nm is very difficult. The smaller you get, the exponentially more complex manufacturing it becomes. Even Intel, which has manufacturing leaps and bounds more advanced than TSMC, is having trouble with 10nm and only started manufacturing it this past summer.
 

ChromeCloud

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2009
357
836
Italy
The fact that it will not include a home button seems to imply that this new iPad will finally bring 3D Touch to the iPad line.

The increase in thickness is quite weird. Apple products usually just keep getting thinner and thinner. Either they had to make it thicker because of the new borderless design that makes it more susceptible to bending, or they had to put quite a bigger battery in it to compensate for the power requirements of the A10X chip or the screen or a combination of both (remember when the first retina iPad came out?).
 

npmacuser5

macrumors 68000
Apr 10, 2015
1,744
1,951
does anyone really need a "faster" iPad? It's an internet reading device...
You defined the issues Apple and other technology companies are facing. How much speed does a significant number of their customers require and are willing to pay for. This trend will continue to challenge the industry.
 

Danilo - Italy

macrumors 6502
Oct 22, 2014
250
151
The fact that it will not include a home button seems to imply that this new iPad will finally bring 3D Touch to the iPad line.

The increase in thickness is quite weird. Apple products usually just keep getting thinner and thinner. Either they had to make it thicker because of the new borderless design that makes it more susceptible to bending, or they had to put quite a bigger battery in it to compensate for the power requirements of the A10X chip or the screen or a combination of both (remember when the first retina iPad came out?).
If more thickness means more battery life the thickness is welcome.
 

Codeseven

macrumors 6502a
Dec 31, 2008
836
339
The fact that it will not include a home button seems to imply that this new iPad will finally bring 3D Touch to the iPad line.

The increase in thickness is quite weird. Apple products usually just keep getting thinner and thinner. Either they had to make it thicker because of the new borderless design that makes it more susceptible to bending, or they had to put quite a bigger battery in it to compensate for the power requirements of the A10X chip or the screen or a combination of both (remember when the first retina iPad came out?).

Is the 3D Touch screen thicker? If so, that along with perhaps more battery to power it might account for the increased thickness.
 

2457282

Suspended
Dec 6, 2012
3,327
3,015
At this point I really have to say this. Advancement of chips should no longer be the priority. Sure it still needs to happen to make things faster and thinner for Jony. Still, the thing holding back the iPads imho is the OS and software. Tim thinks that it is a laptop replacement already, and I think (as I have said) that for 70-80 percent of what most people do, maybe that's true. Still, when there are significant difference between the software (including those produced by Apple) between macOS and iOS, then there is still a significant gap to close.
 

MH01

Suspended
Feb 11, 2008
12,107
9,297
It would mess up their schedule so I think TSMC will prioritise Apple.
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No it's a professional machine that can replace a computer. It even has more I/O 'ports' than the 12" MacBook.

No. If it can replace a computer, means you did not need a computer in the first place . If you require a computer, an iPad Pro cannot replace it. I can use a screwdriver as a hammer, does not mean it's a adequate replacement :)
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It is much more then that.
He missed the big one, porn watching device.....
 
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