Apple A5 Semiconductor Process Too Late to Switch to TSMC

At the TSMC 2011 Technical Symposium that opened this week, TSMC did not discuss the issue of OEM contract between TSMC and Apple. The actual dismantling of the A5 processor also shows that so far Samsung is still the representative of the Apple A5 processor. However, some recent signs have convinced the outside world that TSMC will eventually form an OEM relationship with Apple. It is rumored that TSMC has formed an OEM partnership with Apple and will be Apple’s iPad2. Subsequent products provide chip foundry services, while Samsung's A5 commercial identity may also continue to be retained.

First, as we have previously reported, TSMC launched this week the industry’s first 28HPM process optimized for smartphones and tablet PCs (28nm process for high-performance mobile device chips).

Not only that, according to analysts, Apple is also quietly accrediting TSMC’s foundry partners: “Since Apple and Samsung are disagreement on maintaining the relationship between the two companies, it is conceivable that this is due to the involvement of TSMC. (the relationship), then the two companies do not have to pretend to be polite to each other.”

There are several reasons for Apple's fall to TSMC. First of all, Apple and Samsung are clichés on mobile phones and tablet computers. In addition there are other inducing factors that may have an effect.

A4/A5 semiconductor technology is too backward:

"Apple's success on the iPad/iPhone is not just due to the adoption of the A4/A5 processor; however, from the perspective of purely semiconductor technology, we believe that the follow-up models of the A4/A5 series must be reinvented Designing, or simply adopting, a strategy for buying off-the-shelf processors from other processor vendors, and since the latter's price and performance levels are better than their own designs, why is Apple not happy for it?"

"From the chip size point of view, the volume of the A5 dual-core processor using Samsung's 45nm process is too large. Its area has reached a level of 122 square millimeters, more than double the 53 square millimeters of the A4 also using the Samsung 45nm process. ”

"In contrast, the Tegra2 dual-core chip manufactured by Nvidia using TSMC's 40nm process technology has an area of ​​only 49mm2. It is expected that the area of ​​the quad-core Tegra3 product introduced this fall may be smaller than that of the A5, and it is widely speculated that the area will be About 80 square millimeters (using TSMC's 40nm process)."

"Then on the iPhone 5 with higher power-saving performance, if we still maintain the status quo of A5, then I'm afraid that Apple can only use the A5 to lower the frequency. From the semiconductor technology point of view, Apple has lagged behind in this regard. The area of ​​the A5 up to 140 square millimeters can even be compared with Intel's desktop/server dual-core Sandy Bridge processor."

Not only that, Apple may also replace other parts and components of commercial and industrial. "On the Friday, the Sony CEO had stated that Apple's original supplier OmniVision's camera sensor factory in Sendai was seriously damaged in the earthquake, so it will delay the supply to Apple. (It is not yet known which product is OmniVision's product for Apple.) Camera sensor element)."

“Before, the outside world had speculated that Apple may hand over some or all of the iPhone 4 CMOS sensors previously handed over to OmniVision to Sony OEMs. We have already decided this year that Apple will launch both Sony and OmniVision on behalf of industry and commerce companies for production this year. CMOS sensor."