Word on the street is that Apple has started working with TSMC or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on the “A11” processors that we’ll see in the company’s 2017 devices. The A11 is reportedly based on the 10nm manufacturing process, meaning that the chips will provide more power while being more efficient. The new chips are said to utilize TSMC’s integrated fan-out and wafer-level packaging technologies.
Samsung has previously been a supplier of A-series chips but Apple has gradually been shifting its business to TSMC. It can’t be said for sure at this point in time if Apple is going to rely on Samsung as well for its A11 processors.
Nothing has been officially confirmed by Apple as yet, but it’s likely that the new chips will be powering the 2017 iPhones. Apple is expected to introduce a major overhaul for the iPhone next year. It may finally make the shift to OLED displays as well.
This is one of the reasons why it’s believed that the iPhones due next month are going to be an incremental update because Apple is saving all of the good stuff for 2017. It’s been a while since the company introduced major updates to its smartphone and a powerful 10nm processor will certainly open up a world of possibility on an overhauled iPhone.