Chipworks (via iFixit) has confirmed that the 20-nanometer A8 processor found in the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus was fabricated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The discovery by Chipworks confirms earlier reports that TSMC would be making the A8 chips for Apple, in the place of long time chip supplier Samsung.
While the iPhone 5s used a 28-nanometer processor, the iPhone 6 and the 6 Plus have a 20-nanometer processor, as has been widely rumored. According to TSMC, its 20-nanometer process technology can result in speeds that are much higher than its 28-nanometer chips. The 20-nanometer process also results in a physically smaller chip that draws less power.
The A8 processor is said by Apple to give 25% better CPU performance, and 50% better GPU performance than ins predecessor, the A7, which was used in the iPhone 5s.
Reports pre-launch had fluctuated between TSMC and Samsung as the producer of the A8 chip used in this generation of the iPhone. Previous A-series chips had been fabricated by Samsung, but Apple has long been reported to be doing all it can to lessen its reliance on frenemy Samsung as a parts supplier for its devices.
Although TSMC is making this generation of the A-Series chip, Samsung is rumored to be in the running for a 14-nanometer chip to be used in next year’s generation of iOS devices.
