Apple A11 processor for iPhone 8 enters production stages

As the launch of Apple’s 2018 edition of iPhone nears, more alleged details about the upcoming smartphone have started hitting the web. The latest news circulating, however, does not talk about the handset’s design or features but about its processor. According to a report from Digitimes, Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has started producing Apple A11 processor that will be powering the upcoming ‘iPhone 8’ and iPad models.

According to previous reports, TSMC wanted to commence the production of A11 processors last month itself but was not able to do due to yield issues. The report also claims that TSMC will be the sole supplier of A11 chipsets this year for the new iPhone handsets. The new processor, besides the rumoured iPhone 8, will also be powering the upcoming successors of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus. Naturally, the new Apple A11 processor will be more efficient than the ones powering the current flagship handsets. They will be made using 10nm process.

One of the highlights of the rumoured iPhone 8 is expected to be the inclusion of 3D sensing technology. In February 2017, a report in BGR website had claimed that Apple is working closely with a company called Lumentum, which develops 3D sensing technology.

Some earlier reports have also claimed that the smartphone will have OLED display supplied by Samsung. An interesting design change that is being widely speculated is the removal of Touch ID fingerprint sensor from the smartphone’s front panel. This means that the display will stretch to the lower part of the front panel, which may be called ‘Function Area’. The Touch ID-embedded Home button could be replaced by a fingerprint sensor embedded in the display itself.