Apple kickstarts production of its all-new chipset that could give the iPhone X successor a major boost to battery life
- Apple manufacturing partner has purportedly started building the A12 chipset
- The smaller processor could improve smartphone speeds and battery life
- Apple is tipped to unveil three new iPhone X models this autumn
Apple has started production on the chipset that will power its next smartphone, according to a new report.
The all-new processor is tipped to be faster and more efficient than its predecessor, which could result in markedly better battery life in the forthcoming iPhone models.
Apple is tipped to make the switch from a 10-nanometre chip design, like those used in iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X, to a more compact seven-nanometre chip.
This smaller A12 design should increase efficiency, resulting in faster speeds on the new iPhone.
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Apple has purportedly started production on the chipset that will power its iPhone X successor. The new processor will reportedly boast a smaller design, which will make it faster than its predecessor and could dramatically improve battery life in the new smartphone
The new design would also save precious space inside the handset, which could enable Apple to add new hardware components that it would previously have been unable to fit.
Apple has long battled to conserve space inside its iPhone models – even going so far as to drop the ubiquitous 3.5mm headphone port to conserve space inside the smartphone.
According to anonymous sources speaking to Bloomberg, Apple manufacturing partner TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) started production of the new chipset this week.
However, a TSMC spokesperson would not confirm whether the chips in production were for Apple.
The latest chipset will replace the A11 Bionic processor (pictured) that powers the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. The so-called A12 will purportedly be faster and more efficient
If these chips are destined for the next iPhone, Apple would become one of the first smartphone manufacturers to employ the new seven-nanometre design in consumer hardware.
Apple rival Samsung is also working to add these components to its upcoming smartphone and has claimed it will have seven-nanometre chips coming off the production line sometime this year.
Given that TSMC started mass production of the A11 Bionic processor that powered the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X in May last year, the latest report suggests production is one schedule for the usual September launch window for the next iPhone.
If Apple follows the naming pattern established in previous years, the new chip is likely to be branded A12.
Apple is widely-tipped to launch three new smartphone models this year.
According to technology blog 9to5Mac, the Cupertino-based company will purportedly introduce a larger screen version of the iPhone X alongside its current 5.8-inch OLED handset.
This will carry a display close to 6.5 inches.
Apple is also tipped to unveil a lower-cost model with an LCD display that keeps the same edge-to-edge design as the iPhone X.
WHAT IS APPLE'S CURRENT IPHONE LINEUP AND WHAT ARE ITS RUMOURED RELEASES?
Speculation has been building that Apple is slated to release a 6.1-inch iPhone next year that serves as a follow up to the 10th anniversary iPhone X.
The second-generation iPhone X would feature an even bigger screen, yet it may have a cheaper price point at just $550 (£550) vs. the $999 (£999) iPhone X.
A 6.1-inch screen would be the firm's largest iPhone yet.
The second-generation iPhone X would feature an even bigger screen, yet it may have a cheaper price point at just $550 vs. the $999 iPhone X
Here's how it stacks up to Apple's current iPhone lineup:
- iPhone SE - 4 inch screen
- iPhone 6s - 4.7-inch screen
- iPhone 7 - 4.7-inch screen
- iPhone 8 - 4.7-inch screen
- iPhone 8 Plus - 5.5-inch screen
- iPhone X - 5.8-inch screen
In August 2017, rumours from the supply chain said the iPhone 9 will be available in two sizes, including one with a massive screen.
The 'Plus' size will reportedly have a 6.46-inch screen will be sold alongside a smaller 5.85-inch model in a bid to compete with Samsung's Galaxy Note, the leak claimed.
It came from a source within Samsung Display, the sole OLED supplier for upcoming iPhones.
The source also said the smaller version was originally going to be a 5.28-inch model but that the firm upped it because of growing consumer demand for bigger-screen phones.
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