iPad Pro 2 & iPhone 8's Backbone A11 Processors' Production Started At TSMC

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has started the production of Apple's A11 processor, according to a new report. The upcoming chip is expected to power the company's redesigned OLED iPad Pro 2 and iPhone 8, which are scheduled to launch in the fall.

TSMC is the only supplier of A11 processor that could also be there for the upgraded "S" cycle models of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and in the upcoming iPad Pro 2 this year, too, as reported by DigiTimes. TSMC has originally meant to start producing the chip in April with a view to completing 50 million units by July, but the production was then reportedly delayed due to the issues in the 10-nanometer FinFET manufacturing process but now they have already been solved.

There's almost nothing is known about the A11 processor, however, TSMC previously estimated that 10nm production tech alone could provide up to 20 percent performance gains and 40% less power consumption. So Apple's latest chip designers have a fine opportunity to take benefit of this and contribute their own improvements. TSMC is said to manufacture as many as 100 million A11 chips by the end of this year.

Apart from faster A11 processors, all three rumored upcoming iPhone models might include glass bodies and wireless charging. However, it is unclear if the two LCD models will sport the same edge-to-edge display rumored for the higher-end device and what other features will be included, as reported by Mac Rumors.

Moreover, the Apple is taking 12nm chip production orders from Nvidia, MediaTek, Silicon Motion, and HiSilicon. While the market is possible to see ample of 12nm phones as early as this year, 2018's flagship Android phones are expected to have 7nm processors. Samsung is also reportedly developing its next Exynos chipset on a 7nm process, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845 chipset too will be made on a 7nm line.