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TSMC preps Apple's next-gen 20nm A7 processor, might land in next year's iPad first

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By Daniel Petrov

Published: Mar 14, 2013, 6:41 AM

TSMC preps Apple's next-gen 20nm A7 processor, might land in next year's iPad first

Just as we heard Intel is trying to get its foot in the door on the production of Apple's next-gen A7 processor for phones and tablets, DigiTimes confirms that production trial runs have already started indeed, but at TSMC.

The foundry is prepped to "tape out" the new A7 chip on none other but the bleeding edge 20nm process, and the silicon is allegedly going to be ready for mass production for Apple's gadgets in Q1 of 2014, meaning we'd likely see it in a killer iPad first. Given that currently even the most advanced mobile chips are done with 28nm, the A7 should sport quite an advantageous power consumption/performance ratio in comparison when it lands.

TSMC is expanding production facilities at 14-fab at the Tainan Science Park with a total investment at the park of NT$500 billion (US$16.87 billion), said the sources, adding that TSMC will utilize 14-fab to manufacture the A7 chips for Apple.

source: Digitimes

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.