Chipworks has taken a closer look at the chip for the iPad mini and confirmed that it is a Samsung 32nm A5.
When we looked at the A5 package markings found in the iPad Mini, we saw that it had the exact same package markings as that found in the latest (fifth) generation iPod. We wondered if we might have an A5 Gen 3 here already. So we looked closer at both of them again.
The foundry for the A5 is confirmed to be Samsung. Basically, we put our device in for a cross section and the images show the same contacted gate pitch and the same high-k metal gates, so we are comfortable with this conclusion. TSMC 28 would look quite different.
Check out some images of the chip below...
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When we looked at the A5 package markings found in the iPad Mini, we saw that it had the exact same package markings as that found in the latest (fifth) generation iPod. We wondered if we might have an A5 Gen 3 here already. So we looked closer at both of them again.
The foundry for the A5 is confirmed to be Samsung. Basically, we put our device in for a cross section and the images show the same contacted gate pitch and the same high-k metal gates, so we are comfortable with this conclusion. TSMC 28 would look quite different.
Check out some images of the chip below...
Read More