Apple A16 Chip Now Produced In US, Brings Up New Question Marks
JAKARTA - Apple is now producing the A16 chip at the TSMC chip factory in Arizona, USA, according to a recent report. While the success rate of chip production in the US is not as high as in Taiwan, its quality levels are getting closer to the same standards. However, the mystery is why Apple is still producing this new A16 chip and what device will use the chip?
According to Taiwanese journalist Tim Culpan, the TSMC plant in Arizona is now starting to produce the A16 chip using 5nm fabrication technology. Large production is expected to occur after the second phase of the factory's first phase is completed in mid-2025.
Meanwhile, although the Arizona plant is initially expected to struggle to achieve the same success rate as in Taiwan, it turns out the results are quite impressive, with a rapid increase expected to reach an equivalent success rate in the coming months.
What's This A16 Chip For?
The big question that arises is, what product will this new A16 chip be used for? Speculation currently leads to the iPhone SE 4 which is likely to use this chip. The iPhone SE 4 is predicted to be iPhone-based, which means the model will leave the Home button and adopt a full screen design like any other modern iPhone.
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However, Apple usually provides iPhone SE chips that are being used on the latest non-Pro iPhone models. Because the iPhone 14 Pro doesn't support Apple's latest AI feature, it's strange if the company launches a new phone that doesn't support the feature, even for an entry-level model.
It is possible that the design of the A16 chip will be modified to be able to run the AI feature if it is given an upgrade to its RAM. Another less likely alternative is that this production is just a test for Apple's long-term plans to bring more chip production to the US, although this would be a very expensive experiment for chips that are considered outdated.
Despite this speculation, Apple's move to manufacture chips in the US is part of a greater effort to diversify supply chains and improve domestic manufacturing capabilities.