TSMC takes Apple's whole 5G modem order for iPhone 14

22 February 2022
The new modem promises lower energy consumption.

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Anonymous, 24 Feb 2022TSMC isn't ChineseDo you know how to read - a chinese media outlet was covering this story.

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    • Anonymous
    • StU
    • 24 Feb 2022

    Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022Chinese production is on the rise againTSMC isn't Chinese

      Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022The thing is, according to the source, TSMC doesn't me... moreWell we’ve got to take all this with healthy dose of scepticism, the article isn’t clear who said what exactly. Could be TSMC looking to big up up their fancy new fabrication process, or some journalists trying to sound impactful.

      My original point was it’s not always clear which fabrication process has the edge, as the numbers aren’t always reflective of the actual node sizes.

      Pretty sure whatever components end up in the next Apple soc are likely going to be more power efficient than their predecessors, can’t see Apple, or anyone for that matter, approving their use otherwise.



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        • Anonymous
        • d%$
        • 23 Feb 2022

        Chinese production is on the rise again

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          • Anonymous
          • 70d
          • 23 Feb 2022

          DaFink, 23 Feb 2022I didn't say they did design chipsets. As you correctl... moreThe thing is, according to the source, TSMC doesn't mention Qualcomm at all. If they mean that this modem is better than some modem (maybe some modem from years ago), they're probably right. And if they mean a Qualcomm's modem, it could be the X55 (7 nm). Actually, I wonder why TSMC even bothered saying that at all. It's not its product, is it? Why does TSMC care about it? Shouldn't Apple be the one who says that?

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            • motop
            • iZy
            • 23 Feb 2022

            No it's wrong
            It's not modem it's RF not modem

              Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022Again, TSMC also doesn't design chipsets. They are a c... moreI didn't say they did design chipsets. As you correctly say they are a fabrication company, the manufacturing process is what belongs to them.

              What I am trying to say, and understand that this is all conjecture at this point, as we are discussing an as yet unreleased product, is that (according to this article at least) TSMC obviously have confidence that the new Apple modem when produced on their fabrication process will have benefits over the previous Qualcomm design.

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                • Anonymous
                • 70d
                • 23 Feb 2022

                Anonymous, 23 Feb 20226nm 5g modem? the latest qualcomm 5g modem is 4 nm how wil... moreI don't know why my comment was deleted. The iPhone 13 series uses the X60 which is 5 nm. I don't know why the author thinks that this modem is more efficient.

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                  • Anonymous
                  • M}3
                  • 23 Feb 2022

                  DaFink, 23 Feb 2022Good point, yes. All I can suggest then is that TSMC think ... moreAgain, TSMC also doesn't design chipsets. They are a chip fabrication company. They just make what others design.

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                    • Anonymous
                    • 70d
                    • 23 Feb 2022

                    By the way, TSMC stated this in 2021. So it's possible that they mean that this modem is superior to the X55 which is 7 nm.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • 70d
                      • 23 Feb 2022

                      DaFink, 23 Feb 2022As much as it is counter intuitive and doesn't seem to... moreTSMC doesn't specifically say that this modem is superior to the X60. According to the source, they say that it has lower power consumption than something. That's very vague. The author seems to jump to conclusions.

                        Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022There is no TSMC's and Qualcomm's node process. I... moreGood point, yes. All I can suggest then is that TSMC think they can out perform whoever it is that is currently producing Apple's modems.

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                          • Anonymous
                          • M}3
                          • 23 Feb 2022

                          DaFink, 23 Feb 2022As much as it is counter intuitive and doesn't seem to... moreThere is no TSMC's and Qualcomm's node process. It's just TSMC's node process. Qualcomm is a fabless company, they don't actually produce chips, TSMC and Samsung do for them.

                            Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022The iPhone 13 series use the X60 which is 5 nm. I wonder wh... moreAs much as it is counter intuitive and doesn't seem to make much sense, you do have to be careful when discussing 'nanometer' processes. Sometimes a stated '*nm' process can simply be a marketing term and have little to do with actual physical measurement.

                            My guess would be the author is simply repeating what they have either been told directly by TSMC or heard channels that their 6mn process is somehow superior to Qualcomm's 5mn.

                            As with all things, we'll just have to wait and see.........

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                              • Anonymous
                              • M}3
                              • 23 Feb 2022

                              Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022If you don't have knowledge, don't say anything. ... moreWhy are YOU talking then? Hurr durr, Qualcomm has 4nm so it has to be the best. Everyone's a smarta** these days because they can throw around node fabrication sizes and think they know a damn thing. Node size can have its benefits, but is by no means do all solution. Especially not with radios where electrical interference is of higher priority than raw efficiency through smaller fab node. I also told you I know enough that this is a thing, but not in technical details.

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                                • Anonymous
                                • 70d
                                • 23 Feb 2022

                                Anonymous, 23 Feb 2022Because nanometers are not everything... Why do you think I... moreIf you don't have knowledge, don't say anything. Smaller processes have better power efficiency. That's why the latest Qualcomm's modem uses a 4 nm process.

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 70d
                                  • 23 Feb 2022

                                  Anonymous, 23 Feb 20226nm 5g modem? the latest qualcomm 5g modem is 4 nm how wil... moreThe iPhone 13 series use the X60 which is 5 nm. I wonder why the author thinks that this modem is more efficient than the X60.

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 7kk
                                    • 23 Feb 2022

                                    oio, 23 Feb 2022hope it doesn't overheat. im just waiting for the ipho... moreyes u can buy the upcoming SE for even cheaper!

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • uJD
                                      • 23 Feb 2022

                                      Conflicting news. Some say iPhone 14. But others say it will come in 2023 (iPhone 15).

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                                        • Anonymous
                                        • GM0
                                        • 23 Feb 2022

                                        Another QC/Apple modem lottery?