A lot has been going on in the internet lately regarding #chipgate.
No, it’s not about the surface of the iPhone 6S chipping out easily.
It’s about the iPhone 6S/6S Plus having their processor chip differ than the other.
It’s not planned, but it’s randomly distributed without any report, hence the term #Chipgate.
Ready to get your eyes wet? Nah, just kidding.
What is Chipgate?
What #chipgate is all about is basically Apple having two well-known companies, Samsung & TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), to create a custom-made processor chip, the A9, for the iPhone 6S/6S Plus.
It doesn’t really look like a big of a deal, but get this, Chipworks reports both chips are different in size factor.
That is, TSMC-made chip being larger than Samsung-made chip.
Fun fact, both were also made in different processes, where the Samsung-made chip is made on a 14nm process, the other being TSMC-made chip, goes through a 16nm process.
Chipworks also assumed that the A9x chip found in the iPad Pro line might be affected as well.
Reports and Findings
However, early reports started in Macrumors, where a fellow forumer suggests that his Samsung-powered iPhone 6S was generating a lot of heat and bad battery life.
I guess he really did, burst into flames, when he found out.
Other than that, two known Youtubers, Austin Evans & Jonathan Morrison (TLDtoday) made their tests respectively, on the phones.
Interestingly, reports coming from Chipworks stating that the smaller die size chip by Samsung, actually shows quite of a leadership in technology scaling.
We all can’t really argue that is true, about Samsung trying to make their products as minimal as possible.
I mean, look at their televisions! The team at Chipworks also quote,
[block_quote quote = ‘1|0’]The reason Apple is dual-sourcing a custom designed part and launching on day one with both parts, suggests major sourcing problems. For cost and power reasons, there is little reason to run a larger die, unless the smaller die was not available at the right volumes.”[/block_quote]
This however shows that, Apple really wants to cut cost, for what reason that’s up to them.
For those who didn’t really understood what ‘die’ is , it’s a small block in large numbers, running around an integrated circuit (chip).
It’s okay, I didn’t understood it at first too.
Apple confirmed to CNET Executive Editor that there is 2 to 3 percent difference in battery life in real life usage.
The titanic company also added,
[block_quote quote = ‘1|0’]With the Apple-designed A9 chip in your iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus, you are getting the most advanced smartphone chip in the world. Every chip we ship meets Apple’s highest standards for providing incredible performance and deliver great battery life, regardless of iPhone 6s capacity, color, or model.”[/block_quote]
[block_quote quote = ‘1|0’]Certain manufactured lab tests which run the processors with a continuous heavy workload until the battery depletes are not representative of real-world usage, since they spend an unrealistic amount of time at the highest CPU performance state.”[/block_quote]
[block_quote quote = ‘1|0’]It’s a misleading way to measure real-world battery life. Our testing and customer data show the actual battery life of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, even taking into account variable component differences, vary within just 2-3 per cent of each other.”[/block_quote]
Another report, comes from a Reddit user, stating that there is a 2-hours difference In battery life.
Austin Evans from youtube states that the TSMC-powered phone achieved 1.5 times better battery life and 3 degrees Celcius cooler than Samsung-powered phone.
More users are also conducting their own little experiments in the internet.
In terms of performance, the TSMC-made chip scored a slightly higher number in both single and multi core tests in GeekBench 3, than the Samsung-made chip.
Based on all the reports from various sites I digged up, battery-wise, TSMC holds the throne against Samsung.
Performance-wise, both run well.
All I can say that Apple really shocked the whole world, again.
It is very obvious that Apple has chosen a path different that what Apple walked on, years ago.
Not to sound like an Apple fanboy or anything, but not everyone can be good at something they’re new at.
We may all see something new soon by Apple.
They’re not just a ‘phone company’ to start with.
So, is it really a big deal? No.
Well it’s because things don’t really seem like it is at start.
Expect to see iOS updates that could fix the problem.
It’s not really a hardware problem.
As time passes, you’ll realize that it’s just something Apple did.
Plus, we’re lucky it ain’t the chip that bends!
So don’t worry about getting the new iPhone 6S, because at the end of the day, you’re proud of your device no matter what.
If your fingers are too itchy to check which company made your iPhone 6S chip, here are the details:
- N66mAP: Apple iPhone 6s Plus with A9 chip made by TSMC.
- N66AP: Apple iPhone 6s Plus with A9 chip made by Samsung.
- N71mAP: Apple iPhone 6s with A9 chip made by TSMC.
- N71AP: Apple iPhone 6s with A9 chip made by Samsung.
iPhone 6S:
- TSMC – N66mAP
- Samsung – N66AP
iPhone 6S Plus:
- TSMC – N71mAP
- Samsung – N71AP
Here are the apps that can let you identify your chip type, I checked mine on CPU identifier.
- Lirum Device Info Lite – iOS (down at the moment)
- iMazing – Mac
- CPU Identifier – iOS (Trust app via General>Profiles>(…)>Trust )
So guys, which company did your iPhone 6S chip made from? Do leave a comment below!
Source:
Cult of Mac
Wikipedia – Die (integrated circuit)
Youtube – iPhone 6s Chipgate: Does it Slow Down Your Phone?
Chipworks
Superzeppo
International Business Times
PC Mag Asia
Daily Mail Online UK
Tom’s Guide