Samsung-produced A9 processor is 10% smaller than TSMC's

According to a new teardown, Apple once again used both Samsung and TSMC to manufacture the A9 system-on-a-chip for the iPhone 6s, just as they did with last year's A8 chip. Interestingly, though the A9 is built on a 14nm process, it appears that there is a size difference between the chips provided by the two companies, with the Samsung chip coming in at around 10% smaller than the TSMC chip, according to Chipworks.

Chipworks teardown

Apple often utilizes multiple sources and manufacturers for the parts in its various products. Multiple manufacturers are used for everything from displays to SSDs found in Macs.

Source: Chipworks

Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.