A6 Processor Returns To iPhone 5 Rumor Mill
Posted by Michael Nace on Thursday Jul 5, 2012 Under iPhone 5 Rumor
It’s been a while since we’ve heard much about the rumored A6 processor. But a new report claims that the A6 is indeed in line for the iPhone 5 — and that it’ll be quad core.
Remember the A6? It was the next-generation processor that was anticipated for the iPad 3, which almost inexplicably turned out to be the A5X, a chip that had been rumored though few expected would actually show up, particularly with a quad-core GPU used to manage the New iPad’s slick retina display. With the A5X already out in the open, many have wondered if the iPhone 5 would come equipped with the same chip, or something different. It is not expected that the iPhone 5 would feature a display that would have to be powered by the likes of the A5x.
Enter the A6 — yet again — to the iPhone 5 rumor mill.
The fresh rumor about the A6 comes by way of a DigitTimes article, which talks about the overall rise of quad-core processors in this year’s top-tier smartphones. The article ends simply by stating: “Additionally, Apple is also expected to release its next-generation iPhone built on Samsung’s Exynos 4 quad-core processor in the second half, heating up competition in the segment, commented the sources.”
Wow!
Apple has never been one to worry as much about the competition when it comes to hardware upgrades as it does about what its devices actually need in order to succeed with its user base. Case in point: the iPhone’s display size. While its Android-powered competitors have far surpassed the screen dimensions of the iPhone, Apple (to this point) has remained steadfast in its smaller screen. With this design ethic in mind, it’s hard to imagine that Apple would simply throw in a quad-core A6 processor, unless the quad core architecture would contribute to higher performance for the iPhone 5.
And even though the A6 might not end up being Apple’s first quad core mobile chip simply because the GS3 is quad core, well, it still won’t hurt to match them tit for tat in the processing department — and least for those in the marketplace who care about quad core versus dual core.
Always on one’s mind when hearing about improved and increased power in the processing department, however, is the enduring concern about battery life and energy use on the upcoming iPhone and beyond. As you may recall, there was a disturbing report recently about the battery production quality at Apple, with only 30% of their batteries functioning at optimal capacity. I suggested at that time that, if the report proved to be true, that it could have release date implications for the iPhone 5, depending on how endemic the problem really is. If the iPhone 5 will be featuring a quad core A6 processor, the need for the right battery will be all the more important.
All of this being said, the appearance of this “new” A6 chip rumor, should it prove to be true, only continues to point to the iPhone 5 delivering major hardware overhauls. Let’s just hope it happens sooner rather than later.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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July 5th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
I may be wrong, but I thought the Samsung Exynos 4 was incompatible with current LTE chips. I read that’s why the US variants of the S III is using a dual core chip. I read this about the A6 on another site today, and wondered if Apple may have worked quad core to be compatible with US LTE chips.
July 5th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
The A6 was in the making last year….. all reports said they ditched samsung and went more in-house with it maybe incorporating something from Intel. I think that’s what was being reported. Oh and it also said the A6 would be quad-core but more energy efficient than the A4 and A5. That one I remember well.
July 6th, 2012 at 1:14 am
As long as the battery life won’t be a problem, I’m all for the A6!
The more power behind the phone, the more improvements Apps will get.
July 6th, 2012 at 1:35 am
I may have missed it in the article… but does since the A6 has a quad core CPU, does that mean it’d also have quad core GPU like the A5X?
Quad CPU + Quad GPU = hell’ofa good time!
July 6th, 2012 at 4:33 am
I’m all for the A6 if it doesn’t adversely affect battetry life.
July 6th, 2012 at 4:52 am
I think that there is an actual power saving aspect to quad care CPU/GPU chipsets, which allows for a more seem less experience during labor intensive computing and subsequently less power use.
July 6th, 2012 at 5:15 am
i should be possible to have an improved battery life and a quad core CPU imo. They have to improve battery life since it’s horrible on the 4S
July 6th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Well I can’t wait for the A6. And btw, there is no reason for apple to do a long er ratio screen on there next phone. I would be awesome for movies… for now. 16:9 is what the movie industry is moving to simple because all (but one sharp one) use 16:9. Avatar and many other newer movies are being recorded for them, so why would apple be stupid and go for old tech? Imaging watching the movies except then you would have black bars on the side of the screen! Just felt that was necessary to say because it adds to how apple really couldn’t be doing a longer display!