iPhone 12 Reportedly Houses A14 5nm-Based SoC; Chips Arrived At Apple Last September

Despite launching its latest flagship phones, the iPhone 11 series, Apple was never able to snatch from Huawei the bragging rights of being the first company to release the world’s first EUV-fabricated smartphone processor. Before Apple released the iPhone 11 series, it was heavily rumored that it might compete with the Chinese tech giant for the expensive fabrication node from TSMC. However, multiple sources now claim that Apple might be getting EUV design on its A14 chips next year, and it might be running on the upcoming iPhone 12.

A recent report from China claims that the Cupertino-based tech giant is looking at launching the iPhone 12 with processors made on TSMC’s 5nm node. The report refers to the node as N5 and reportedly entered into production in the early part of 2019. During that time, many believed that N5 silicon would be primarily used for IoT and 5G products.

The report also details that the Apple A14 processor developed using TSMC’s N5 was scheduled to be delivered to the Cupertino-based tech giant by the end of September. It is worth noting, however, that this report does not guarantee that Apple will use the cutting-edge node on its upcoming mobile processor. Wccftech believes that even if Apple could fine-tune the end product, there is no point in going for the nm-based SoC on the iPhone 12.

But, if Apple will use the 5nm-based SoC, it will allow the Cupertino-based tech giant to put in more transistors on a smaller at a minimal Net Die Per Wafer cost and increased wafer price. Meanwhile, TSMC is optimistic about its 5nm node based on the statement of Wu Wei, its CEO, and vice president. With N5, TSMC is further expanding our addressable market and customer product portfolio, the executive said.

While the reports about the possibility of the iPhone 12 housing a 5nm-based A14 SoC is interesting, it is worth noting that we have yet to hear Apple’s official position on this. So, at this point, we suggest that you refrain from making concrete conclusions about the next mobile processor of Apple’s next flagship smartphone.