Yesterday we reported here that the Apple TV does not contain the A5X but a smaller version of the A5 that was originally used for the iPad 2 in 2011. At that time, the A5 was manufactured at 45 nm with dimensions of 10.09×12.15 mm, while its second version is 41 percent smaller at 8.19×8.68 mm. The current version of the A5 is even smaller with dimensions of just 6×6 mm.
What could this mean? Initially, something that few people mentioned is that this smaller processor is no longer manufactured by Samsung but by TSMC. This is the first time that we see Apple making a shift to chip manufacturers in an iOS device, while we also know that it has been trying to move hardware production away from Samsung for some time.
Of course, TSMC is not a proven solution, especially under demanding mass production conditions like those of the iPhone or iPad, and so the Apple TV is a first-class opportunity to conduct an initial test that will later lead Apple to transfer other chips partially or completely to the company in question, closing the door once and for all to Samsung.
The other interesting fact has to do with the size of the A5 processor, which at just 6x6mm is actually 41% smaller than the one we found in the iPad 2. What does this mean? How easily Apple could now shrink the A5X processor and put it in the upcoming iPad Mini so that it can attach a Retina display. The A5X has four graphics cores that can deliver a Retina resolution of 2048 x 1536, something the A5 cannot do.
So a 28nm A5X chip for the upcoming iPad Mini seems to make sense since it will certainly be less demanding in terms of power compared to the iPad 3 where Apple had to increase the size/volume of the device to accommodate its larger battery. If we add to this equation the Sharp IGZO display that we expect to see in the next iPads, then we definitely have an iPad Mini with Retina resolution that will be more energy efficient even than the current model!
Dimitrios Georgoulas @ GreekAppleNews
