14 DAY TRIAL // Chip teardown experts have been able to confirm that Apple’s latest iPad is equipped with a Samsung-crafted SoC (system on a chip), amid rumors that Apple has switched manufacturing over to TSMC, a fabless chip maker.
Although rumors of Apple signing a deal with TSMC remain in place, UBM Techinsights is certain that Samsung has manufactured at least the first batch of A5s for Apple’s iPad 2.
The company, along with Lab and Process Analysis personnel, performed a complete teardown of the Apple tablet, but focused on dissecting the A5 silicon.
“…we can say that the A5 in our possession is definitely manufactured by Samsung using their 45nm process,” UBM Techinsights said, after putting the multiple layers comprising the A5 under a microscope.
Using optical die and SEM cross-section images, UBM TechInsights was able to analyze important features such as die edge seal, metal 1 pitch, logic and SRAM transistor gate measurements.
The results came to light by comparing these elements to those found in other manufacturers’ chips, including other Samsung 45nm parts, such as the former A4 employed by current-generation iPhones, and iPod touches, and the original iPad.
In addition to these minute findings, UBM Techinsights also confirmed that the A5 is a hefty IC, around two times larger than its predecessor, with a processor die size of 12.1 x 10.1 mm.
“You'll recall that the Apple A4 was a package-on-package with the processor and its supporting memory stacked one capsule atop another and it had a processor die size of 7.3mm x 7.3mm,” the firm said.
However, UBM Techinsights may have found clear evidence that Apple does not want to marry Samsung over the A5 chip.
Teardowns performed at two UBM TechInsights locations revealed two different LPDDR2 DRAM from two different manufacturers - Samsung and Elpida.
“The Samsung K4P2G324EC LPDDR2 die is the first time we’ve seen Samsung’s new 46nm LPDDR2 memory. This also tells us that Apple is fully prepared to package multiple LPDDR2 offerings,” UBM Techinsight concluded.