Skip to main content

TSMC expected to begin 16nm volume production for Apple’s A9 chip in early 2015

iPhone 6 render

<a href="http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/03/latest-iphone-6-renders-compare-potential-gold-space-gray-and-silver-colors-gallery/" target="_blank">Latest iPhone 6 render</a>

We’re still just over two weeks away from the anticipated iPhone 6 event reportedly scheduled for September 9th where Apple is expected to debut the next generation of iPhone hardware including a more powerful, efficient A8 system-on-a-chip.

Worry not, though, about the next, next generation iPhone rumors, Apple watchers, as a report from Chinese publication Economic Daily News (via Digitimes) shares that TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, plans to “advance volume production on its 16nm process” during the beginning of 2015 “with monthly output of 50,000 wafers” to deliver Apple’s A9 system-on-a-chip.

The report notes TSMC previously planned to begin 16nm volume production during the second quarter of next year.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this summer that TSMC would make good on a contract and begin shipping the iPhone 6’s A8 processor using a 20nm process.

A later report pointed to Samsung’s dropped profits around the SoC (system-on-a-chip) division due to Apple opting for TSMC producing the A8 rather than sticking with Samsung.

As for the A8 chip powering the iPhone 6 expected to debut in just a few weeks, 9to5Mac reported this in May:

Sources also say that Apple has developed a new A8 system-on-a-chip for the next iPhone that focuses on marginal speed improvements rather than core architectural changes, but adds significant performance and efficiency enhancements in order to improve the iPhone’s battery life.

 

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. toshiro.shimura - 10 years ago

    Apple’s A9 chip in early 2015.

  2. No they aren’t.

  3. Lee (@leemahi) - 10 years ago

    I feel our favorite tech company will continue to barely innovate their phone, and just bet on their silky smooth UI, the watch, and their current fanbase to keep them afloat. With basically unlimited money, the company refuses to blow the competition out of the water with new ideas. Maybe they don’t have many ideas and are saving them for when Google comes up with ideas. The least Apple can do is make Siri more intelligent and listen better, like Google Now. Sergey is well on the way to create the Hive Mind ala IBMs Watson, making anything Apple does inferior. This iWatch is will make or break the company over the next 18 months. We’ll see.

    • Mr. Grey (@mister_grey) - 10 years ago

      An excellent blend of hyperbole, near-fact, and complete nonsense. Congratulations.

    • So the record spendings on R$D and construction robots, the hiring of talented people in new fields and the acquisitions of dozens of companies with innovative technologies will for sure result in nothing? And you already know “the watch” will add absolutely nothing to the iPhone experience of the future? You must be at least as good a visionary as Steve was.

  4. herb02135go - 10 years ago

    Anticipated September 9 event?

    How about rumored September 9 event?

  5. Truffol (@Truffol) - 10 years ago

    Should I start shorting Samsung stock

  6. Klaus Dietrich Lange - 10 years ago

    How many of the A9 SOC fit on each wafer ?

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.