HACKINTOSH.ORG | Macintosh discussion forums

2018 iPad Pro Models Could Have Very Fast Octa-Core A11X Bionic Chip

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro models released in 2018 will feature octa-core processors, based on Taiwanese supplier TSMC's improved 7nm manufacturing process, according to Chinese website MyDrivers (http://news.mydrivers.com/1/555/555760.htm).





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2017/11/benjamingeskinipadprorender1.jpg)" alt="" width="800" height="576" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-602894" /><center>iPad Pro with slim bezels and no Home button rendered by Benjamin Geskin (https://twitter.com/VenyaGeskin1)</center>


The report, citing sources within Apple's supply chain, claims the eight cores in the tentatively named A11X Bionic chip will include three high-performance "Monsoon" cores and five energy-efficient "Mistral" cores.





Like the A11 Bionic chip in the latest iPhone models, which is built on a 10nm process, the A11X chip will reportedly feature TSMC's integrated fan-out wafer level packaging, or InFO WLP for short.





The chip will also presumably include a next-generation M11 coprocessor and neural engine for artificial intelligence tasks, such as processing facial recognition given rumors about Face ID on 2018 iPad Pro models (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/08/apple-2018-ipad-face-id/).





The eight-core processor should unsurprisingly result in CPU performance improvements on next-generation iPad Pro models.





Our own Chris Jenkins provided an in-depth look at the architecture of Apple's A11 Bionic chip (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/12/a11-architecture-heterogeneous-computing/). He also highlighted details about TSMC's improved 7nm process and advanced InFO packaging process (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/15/tsmc-7nm-advanced-info-2018/) for 2018.





Apple's current 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have an A10X Fusion chip based on TSMC's 10nm fabrication process.





In addition to gaining Face ID, next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to have an iPhone X form factor with slimmer bezels and no Home button (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/08/apple-2018-ipad-face-id/). However, the tablets will reportedly continue to have LCD displays due to yield rates.

<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: iPad Pro (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad-pro/)</div><div class="linkback">Tags: TSMC (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/tsmc/), mydrivers.com (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/mydrivers-com/), A11 chip (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/a11-chip/)</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide: 10.5" iPad Pro (Caution) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#10-5-iPad-Pro), 12.9" iPad Pro (Neutral) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#12-9-iPad-Pro)</div>
Discuss this article (https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2018-ipad-pro-octa-core-a11x-chip-rumor.2088661/) in our forums

<div class="feedflare">
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=bNOSao1DI6g:pZBxtjMwcT4:yIl2AUoC8zA) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=bNOSao1DI6g:pZBxtjMwcT4:6W8y8wAjSf4) <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img> (http://feeds.macrumors.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?a=bNOSao1DI6g:pZBxtjMwcT4:qj6IDK7rITs)
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/bNOSao1DI6g" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Source: 2018 iPad Pro Models Could Have Very Fast Octa-Core A11X Bionic Chip (https://www.macrumors.com/2017/11/15/2018-ipad-pro-octa-core-a11x-chip-rumor/)