Apple Begins Testing A6 Processing Chip, Likely Won’t Be Ready This Year – [REPORT]

In a new report by Taiwan Economic News this week, the site notes that Apple may have already begun trial production on the successor to its A5 processing chip. The A6, now thought to be being manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Ltd. (TSMC), is said to be based on ARM chip architecture which will take advantage of TSMC’s patented 28-nanometer process.

By taking advantage of this manufacturing process, TSMC will be able to make Apple’s A6 processor less power-intensive, resulting in greater processing capability due to its “3D” design. Compare this to Apple’s A4 (iPhone 4) and A5 (iPad 2) and we learn that the body of the A6 is completely different, with both previous chips operating on a layered architecture.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TSMC), the world’s largest semiconductor foundry by market shares now, has allegedly started trial production of the A6 processor in cooperation with Apple Inc., with the production design to be taped out in the first quarter of next year and scheduled to be publicly unveiled in the second quarter at the earliest, according to industry sources.

While reports claimed TSMC had begun A6 trail production last month, today’s report suggests the manufacturer has now taken this testing to the next level. However, while testing is said to be being conducted on the chip, the publication remains adamant that Apple’s A6 won’t make an appearance this year.

… And no A6 chip this year likely means no iPad 3 or iPad HD, either.