Tweaked Apple TV Features Smaller A5 Processor, Not A5X [Photo]

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Posted March 10, 2013 at 6:52pm by iClarified

Apple has begun selling a tweaked Apple TV that features no noticeable changes except for a smaller A5 processor.

Firmware for the new device appeared alongside the release of iOS 6.1. The device then turned up at the FCC in late January. Now, MacRumors has spotted the Apple TV for sale at the Apple Store.

The tweaked third generation Apple TV has a part number of A1469. The previous version had a part of A1427. Taking apart the device, the site discovered that contrary to speculation, it still has an A5 chip.

The original A5 chip introduced in 2011 for the iPad 2 was built on a 45-nanometer process, measuring 10.09 mm by 12.15 mm, while the first die-shrunk A5 introduced in 2012 for the third-generation Apple TV and the tweaked iPad 2 measured 41% smaller at 8.19 mm by 8.68 mm. This new A5 found in the tweaked third-generation Apple TV is considerably smaller still, with our measurements putting the chip at just 6 mm by 6 mm.

It's unclear how the smaller chip is being produced; however, the 28-nanometer process from TSMC is a possibility. This would be notable as it could be the first iOS device processor not manufactured by Samsung.

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Tweaked Apple TV Features Smaller A5 Processor, Not A5X [Photo]

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shadow - March 11, 2013 at 6:54pm

I have an iphone and ipad, but when searching for a tv device I chose the wdtv live. No regrets, I have netflix, pull movies from my pc server directly and can play many many formats with subtitles. What was important for me was streaming from pc, subtitles and format compatibility, all things that the factory Apple TV seem to be unable to do.

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SoOsH - March 10, 2013 at 7:19pm

Does this mean that the new Apple TV will be Jailbreak-able?

Me - March 10, 2013 at 7:15pm

The question is it going to be jailbroken? I don't want an Apple TV for Netflix or Hulu I have a ps3 and 2 modded Xbox 360 for that

Simon - March 10, 2013 at 7:11pm

If the chips frequency (MHz) hasn't been changed, it should perform faster due to the die being made using the smaller 28nm process. Might sell my gen2 on Craigslist for $250 and pick up a couple of these.