Apple's A8 chip is quad-core, made on a 20 nanometer process

Mar 6, 2014 10:18 GMT  ·  By

Samsung will no longer handle the production of Apple’s A-series chips starting with the A8 version, which is now in full production at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), according to a local newspaper.

Taiwan's Commercial Times (via Google Translate) reveals that TSMC began producing the chips for Apple’s iPhone 6 in February. It is making these chips using a 20 nanometer process, the smallest yet for any iDevice chip.

The A8 manufacturing contract is almost exclusive to TSMC. No other chip makers are mentioned in the Taiwanese report, though Apple surely has some backup factories lined up, just in case something goes wrong or if iPhone 6 sales jump higher than initially projected.

The report says that the 20nm chip will include a quad-core 64-bit processor and quad-core graphics. Apple is reportedly ordering the chips earlier this time around to avoid botching up supplies like it did in previous years. This leaves the iPhone 6 launch date for either summer or fall. Most bets are on a launch during Apple’s September quarter.

TSMC will also be producing the Touch ID chips required for fingerprint recognition, a feature that is being carried over to the iPhone 6.

Like in previous years, there is no shortage of leaks, including touch panels, parts of the phone’s chassis, etc. However, unlike before, there is a high degree of uncertainty surrounding these leaks. To put it bluntly, neither one of them seems real.

Apple is expected to carry out a redesign of the enter phone, something it does once every two years to ensure continued interest in the elusive, high-end device. This year Apple is increasing the screen size again but, according to the latest leaks, the phone’s size will actually not increase by much.

The new iPhone’s display will reportedly measure 4.7 inches on the diagonal and Apple plans to achieve this by reducing the screen bezel, rather than expanding the size of the entire phone.

A less credible rumor says the company actually has two such upgrades lined up for this year. This second iPhone allegedly has a screen size that goes beyond the 5-inch mark, landing into phablet domain (a segment Apple isn’t particularly fond of).

There’s also a chance the company will unveil the iPhone 6 at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June or July. A lot of pressure has been mounting on Apple’s shoulders to innovate, and CEO Tim Cook might feel compelled to do something about it sooner rather than later.