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Apple Quietly Updates iPad 2's Processor

Posted by timothy on from the when-subtle-is-good dept.

bonch writes "Apple has quietly replaced the iPad 2's A5 with a smaller 32nm die that increases battery life by 15 to 30%. It's theorized that Apple is using the iPad 2 as a test bed for the new hardware platform, which shrinks the surface area of the A5 to 57% of the previous size."

3 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Just the WiFi version by Henriok · · Score: 5, Informative

    This only applies to the WiFi version, called iPad2,4. The CDMA and 3G versions are still using the older 45 nm version of the A5 processor.

    --

    - Henrik

    - when the Shadows descend -
  2. Re:Or by CharlyFoxtrot · · Score: 5, Informative

    No mystery; From the article :

    "the learnings (sic) Apple gains from building the 32nm A5 will pay off later this year as Apple ramps up production of a 32nm SoC for use in the next iPhone."

    They're further developing their A5 and ramping up production by introducing it first in an existing product. Smart.

    --
    If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error.
  3. Re:30%? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I find it very difficult to believe that a die shrink would improve battery life by that much. Given the amount of energy used by the screen and the radios, you could probably remove the CPU entirely and not see a 30% power reduction.

    Either they fixed some other issues, or else the power savings are being exaggerated. Did the old processor have an extremely high sleep current, perhaps?

    Read the article. Its not just a die shrink, but also a change in manufacturing (high-k + metal gate).