Mass Production of Apple's New A9 Chip Has Reportedly Begun

POST

MAIL

Posted July 16, 2015 at 2:51pm by iClarified

Samsung and TSMC have started volume production of the Apple A9 processor for the next generation iPhone, according to DigiTimes.

Just before production kicked off, Apple requested modifications to the mask patterns prompting both contract chipmakers to rework wafers, said the sources. Nevertheless, the event should not interrupt the new iPhone launch schedule, the sources noted.

Notably, the site says TSMC won't start mass production of A9 chips on its 16nm FinFET process until the fourth quarter of 2015.

TSMC is also said to be contracted to manufacture fingerprint sensors and audio chips at its 12-inch fabs.

Previous reports suggested TSMC would use its 65nm fabrication process to supply fingerprint sensors for the next-generation iPhones expected in the fall of 2015. In addition, the foundry will reportedly manufacture iPhone chips for Cirrus Logic using 45/55nm process technologies.

Apple is said to have placed a record breaking initial order of 85-90 million next generation iPhones.

Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

Mass Production of Apple's New A9 Chip Has Reportedly Begun

Follow iClarified

Vic - July 16, 2015 at 3:02pm

I hope they add 2GB of ram to the next iPhone. Missing that on the 6, it can't handle that much as of now.

Reply · Like

gamerscul9870 - July 16, 2015 at 4:38pm

It makes sense to have it because the a#x chip on the iPad compared to previous chips on iPhone as always (unless the same chip is used until the chip next year gets a huge boost) mean more power. Why else won't it come with 2gb of ram. If you think about what I just said, iPhone gets an a# chip when iPad sometimes gets a bit more performance capabilities when the next chip uses the same number but with an x. This is enough to tell how 2gb of ram was used last time so why not?

King Rollo - July 19, 2015 at 8:59pm

Really? Why?