Apple’s A-series chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has reportedly begun production of the new A11 chip for the upcoming iPhone 8 and possibly the upgraded iPhone 7s handsets.
The new chips are being made with the 10 nanometer chip production process. TSMC had hoped to begin manufacturing earlier, but ran into problems involving “stacking components in the backend integrated fan-out packaging process,” according to Digitimes.
Fortunately, it sounds like these problems have been solved — although there’s no word on the impact the delay could have on iPhone 8 production.
So far, reports have been mixed in this area. TSMC was said to be just one of Apple’s supply partners running into production challenges with the iPhone 8 components. Others included printed circuit board makers Zhen Ding Technology and Kinsus Interconnect Technology, as well as battery supplier Simplo Technology.
For a while, rumors suggested that production challenges proved severe enough that Apple’s eagerly anticipated 10th anniversary iPhone could be pushed back as far as 2018. More recently, though, reports indicate that despite roadblocks in the manufacturing process, the iPhone 8 will ship on time.
For more on what we’re expecting from Apple’s next-gen iPhone, you can read our report on everything we think we know about the iPhone 8. The most recent renderings of the device are also available to view here.
Are you excited about the new iPhone? What will be the key upgrades that will ensure you buy the new handset? Leave your comments below.
