Apple M5: mass production has begun

Apple’s manufacturing partners have begun packaging the upcoming M5 chips, ETNews reports. The process involves bonding the silicon crystal to a protective housing and preparing it for integration into devices.

Apple’s manufacturing partners have begun packaging the upcoming M5 chips.

TSMC’s move to a 3nm process

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The M5 chips will be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm N3P process, which promises a 5% performance boost and a 5-10% improvement in power efficiency. The next generation is expected to focus on improving artificial intelligence capabilities. The M4 chip’s Neural Engine supports 38 TOPS performance, which is already double that of the M3.

The M4 chip’s Neural Engine supports 38 TOPS performance, which is already double that of the M3.

Innovative SoIC-mH technology for increased power and heat dissipation

Some M5 models will utilize System-on-Integrated-Chips-molding-Horizontal (SoIC-mH) technology. This is a method of vertically combining and interconnecting chips using copper conductors, which will improve heat dissipation and performance.

There will also be changes to the way chips are attached to motherboards. Improved adhesion technology will allow more chips to be stacked on top of each other, such as what is done with RAM on top of processors in smartphones.

Production chain and device outlook with the M5

The initial batch of mass production will be taken over by Taiwanese ASE. Later, Amkor (USA) and JCET (China) will join in.

The first device based on the basic M5 chip will be the new iPad Pro, which will be released in the second half of this year. Pro, Max and Ultra versions of the M5 are also expected. The M5 Pro chip will be the first to utilize the SoIC-mH method.

Interestingly, no new Ultra chips have been introduced since the M2 was released. The M2 Ultra found use in the Mac Pro and Mac Studio, which have not been updated since. Analysts believe that a new Ultra chip won’t arrive until 2026 at the earliest, which calls into question whether the Mac Pro and Studio can be updated this year.

Indeed, it’s not likely that a new Ultra chip will arrive until 2026 at the earliest.