How Time Flies - Apple’s A(x) Semiconductor Efforts

With the release of Apple’s second quarter results came some pretty astounding iOS device numbers: 35.1 million iPhones, 11.8 million iPads and 7.7 million iPods. Now count the A(x) processors. The iPhones and iPads are easy at a 1:1 with the device numbers. For the iPods the majority do not contain an A(x) processor. In the end let’s just throw in an extra 1.1 million to account for the iPod touches and Apple TV’s, taking one to a round number of 48 million A(x) processors shipped in the second quarter.

Who is in the A(x) family these days?

There are now four members in the A(x) family, as outlined in the table. The A4 was of course the first of the family, appearing in the original iPad in March 2010. The A5 was the next to appear. It was first seen in the second generation iPad. Now with iPad 3 the A5x has made its debut. At the same time the Apple TV was kitted out with an A5 “single core”, as Apple describes it. This latter part appears to be the first part to have migrated from Samsung’s 45 nm to their 32 nm logic process.

So where does Apple stand as a semiconductor manufacturer? Without looking for hard numbers it is probably safe to say it has made it to the big leagues. As with anything semiconductor there is a design angle and a fabrication or process technology angle. While it is unlikely that anyone else will capture the design work, it would probably be wise for other design houses to consider how much impact Apple’s roadmap influences the big iOS device numbers and if this is a route to capture market share.

Is the process end any more open for competition? Samsung of course is the big winner here. Evidence to date continues to support a lock on the foundry work. Yes there have been rumours of a move to TSMC and Intel, with the Intel name continuing to drop at major tri-gate milestones. Time will tell.

Stay tuned for further thoughts on Apple’s A(x) line of processors.