Tweaked Apple TV Features Smaller A5 Processor, Not A5X [Photo]

Apple has begun selling a tweaked Apple TV that features no noticeable changes except for a smaller A5 processor.

Firmware for the new device appeared alongside the release of iOS 6.1. The device then turned up at the FCC in late January. Now, MacRumors has spotted the Apple TV for sale at the Apple Store.

The tweaked third generation Apple TV has a part number of A1469. The previous version had a part of A1427. Taking apart the device, the site discovered that contrary to speculation, it still has an A5 chip.


The original A5 chip introduced in 2011 for the iPad 2 was built on a 45-nanometer process, measuring 10.09 mm by 12.15 mm, while the first die-shrunk A5 introduced in 2012 for the third-generation Apple TV and the tweaked iPad 2 measured 41% smaller at 8.19 mm by 8.68 mm. This new A5 found in the tweaked third-generation Apple TV is considerably smaller still, with our measurements putting the chip at just 6 mm by 6 mm.

It's unclear how the smaller chip is being produced; however, the 28-nanometer process from TSMC is a possibility. This would be notable as it could be the first iOS device processor not manufactured by Samsung.

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