You know that story about how Apple became the first manufacturer to deliver 7nm chipset in a smartphone. We saw that in the 2018 iPhones. As impressive as that sounds, we have a lead that Apple could give us the world’s first 5nm chip next year.
Like 7 signifies perfection, the Apple A12 Bionic chipset released in 2018 was perfect. It was closely compared with fellow 7nm chipsets like Kirin 980 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC. For the latter, it even supports 5G technology as can be seen in the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G model.
But that’s not the bone of contention. Apple’s next 5nm chipset (first of its kind) is the centre of attraction. With the chipset likely to be named Bionic A13 SoC, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the chosen OEM for this feat.
Asides the reduction of the node’s size, what’s confirmed as its component is the extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV). Also, it gives room for addition of more transistors. If the current Apple Bionic A12 chipset bags over 6.9 billion transistors, that of A3 can only get better.
“TSMC is expected to secure the first 5nm chip orders from Apple for the 2020 iPhones, [according to sources] … Despite its dim business and industry outlook this year, TSMC claimed it is making progress in the development of sub-7nm process technologies with plans to move a newer 5nm EUV process to volume production by 2020 well on track.”
Even as the 5nm chip is in the works, Apple’s flagship phones this year will carry the Bionic A12 chip.
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