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iPad 3 Might Initially Lack the A6 Processor

According to an analyst, the hyped A6 processor chip will reach the iPad 3 later in 2012 than on its release date. The analyst projects that it won’t be until June 2012 at the earliest that we could see the rumored quad-core A6 make its way under the hood of Apple’s iPad 3.
You may remember how Apple has recently brought on TSMC for production of their chips which could cause some yield uncertainties as well. Samsung currently manufactures the Apple A5 processor which rests in your iPad 2, but because of the ongoing legal battle and other relationship woes, Apple has reached out to help increase yield and take advantage of the 28nm technology.
The Linley Group and Kevin Krewell, responsible for the news said “The rumored A6 is a major step-up in chip design. Not only does it contain four processor cores but will use so-called 3D technology.” This 3D technology is not to be confused with other 3D technologies but rather is the way to stack and electrically connect die vertically.

iPad 3 to Rely on Retina Display as Main Selling Point?

Krewell also went on to state that the final A6 version will likely be wrapped up and enter production sometime in the second quarter of 2012, and that makes sense to him despite Apple’s traditional processor upgrade schedule. The end result would mean that any products destined to get the A6 processor would have to be delayed until June 2012 at the earliest.
If the iPad 3 lacks the A6 powering the retina display that would mean that it would be hyping itself around the increased resolution and retina display as its main selling point. With an already rather thin iPad 2 it will be interesting to see the official design changes to the iPad 3 ;whether that’s carbon fiber casing or some other way to reduce weight and thickness in a “thin is in” market.