Apple’s A10X SoC Faces Production Bottleneck, iPad Launches Could Be Delayed Well into 2017

While several reports have thus far suggested that the company will likely be unveiling a slew of updated iPad models within the first quarter of 2017, an even newer report has surfaced alleging that Cupertino’s next-generation iPads might be delayed at the hands of their most important component supplier.

According to the report, which was first published last week in DigiTimes, industry sources with deep ties to Apple’s supply chain indicated that Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) – Apple’s long-time A-series silicon manufacturing partner – is having trouble meeting the demand for orders of its new 10nm chip. As a result, the Taiwanese chipmaker was currently producing “unsatisfactory yield rates” of its advanced A10X SoCs, which are destined to be a cornerstone feature of the Silicon Valley tech-giant’s next-generation iPad models.

“TSMC has reportedly obtained 10nm chip orders from Apple, HiSilicon, and MediaTek, with volume production set to kick off in the first quarter of 2017,” the sources indicated. “Nevertheless, yield rates for TSMC’s 10nm process technology are not what the foundry expected.”

Unfortunately for Apple, TSMC’s inability to meet the company’s demand for ‘A10X’ SoC orders might result in the company’s anticipated, early-2017 iPad refresh being pushed back – for just how long, is anybody’s guess. More unfortunate is for TSMC, however: if the chip-maker continues to experience trouble creating chips sufficient enough to meet Apple’s demand, it might end up getting the shaft and lose out on the deal in the end, altogether.

Only time will tell what’s going to happen as a result of these alleged silicon-related issues, but one thing is for certain, iPad sales have been dropping steadily for a while now, with some reports – spearheaded by famed KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi Kuo – suggest that 2017 could set a record low for sales of Apple’s tablet computer.

Of course, while the company has also been rumored to have some major, game-changing iPad announcements in the works for 2018, we’d still like to see an interim upgrade to its gracefully aging iPad family sometime between now and then.

What features are you hoping to see make their way onto Apple’s next iPad?
Let us know in the comments!

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]