Chipworks has determined that the new A7 processor in the iPhone 5s is made by Samsung.
We have confirmed through early analysis that the device is fabricated at Samsung’s Foundry and we will confirm process type and node later today as analysis continues. That being said, we suspect we will see Samsungs 28 nm Hi K metal Gate (HKMG) being used. We have observed this same process in the Samsung Exynos Application processor used in the Galaxy S IV. Our engineers will be deprocessing the Apple A7 as soon as they can to confirm this or to provide different information.
You can check out the external die, package photo, top metal die photo and package markings below...
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Comments (8)
Comments are closed for this article.
2
PWN - September 21, 2013 at 6:18am
Once Apple leaves Samsung for TSMC, Samsung will start using the same chips every year.
1
Guest - September 20, 2013 at 10:15pm
The only good things Samsung made were my fridge and my LCD. Samsung will likely copycat the fingerprint sensor next.
1
TheRealNoGoodNick - September 20, 2013 at 11:01pm
Exactly what I thought!
0
Nuck Chorris - September 21, 2013 at 2:21am
Too late, apple already ripped it off Motorola.
2
gamerscul9870 - September 21, 2013 at 3:20am
Motorola is an outdated phone company! Maybe apple bought it from them? Maybe it does something new unlike moto's like scan pet paws or integrated into App Store for purchasing, technically not copying!
1
Mab - September 20, 2013 at 9:40pm
Not an unusual finding. Samsung spent US$26billion plus on R&D.
2
GB - September 20, 2013 at 9:02pm
The chip is designed by Apple and only fabricated by Samsung. Apple tells Samsung how to do it.
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