MWC 2014 technology breakthroughs: processors, memory and connectivity

The world’s largest mobile show is over, and it’s time for a recap. While you all know about the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the Sony Xperia Z2, you might not know that it is the technologies under the hood that make them possible and chart the way for the future.

Things like the Snapdragon 801 system chip by Qualcomm that makes a lot of the innovation in the Galaxy S5 and Xperia Z2 actually possible. Components like SanDisk’s first 128GB microSD card that is now supported on phones like the Galaxy S5. Stuff like the new Qualcomm RF360 that allows for more efficient battery use.

For all these technological breakthroughs that will shape the way our smartphones and tablets look in the future, take a look below.

1. Processors
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 system chip
The 801 is the new system chip designed for top-shelf devices and it’s a gradual improvement over the popular Snapdragon 800. It features the same Krait 400 processor, Adreno 330 graphics, the same DSP and ISP, but what’s changed is the frequencies - clocks are higher for both the CPU and the GPU.



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Apple's future processors said to be made by Samsung, TSMC

Apple A7 processor: Future iPhones will use chips -- such as the rumored A8 and A9 -- from both Samsung and TSMC reportedly.

Both Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will make future Apple processors, according to a report from Taipei-based Digitimes.

Samsung, which has manufactured Apple A series processors to date -- including the newest 64-bit A7 -- will continue to make Apple chips through at least 2015, according to the report in Wednesday's Digitimes.

Meanwhile, TSMC is slated to participate in production of Apple's 2014 iPhone products and/or could take more future production, according to the report.

Related storiesStill together: New analysis finds Samsung A7 inside iPhone 5SHeads up Apple, here comes 64-bit Android on Intel

Separately, a source familiar with TSMC's operations told CNET that TSMC is already making Apple A series processors -- though it's not clear if that's at commercial volumes or smaller pilot production volumes.

TSMC's future 16-nanometer process will use so-called FinFET, aka vertical transistors, roughly analogous to Intel's 3D transistor tech.

That FinFET manufacturing tech would get Apple's A series processors that much closer to processors from Intel, which is currently the world leader. Apple's new A7 chip already boasts 64-bit processing -- another metric where Apple is closing the gap with Intel.

Samsung is also expected to use a FinFET process for 14-nanometer production (PDF).

It should be noted that nailing down definitive information about which chipmaker is going to make which chip for which customer is always difficult as chip production details are fiercely guarded by both the manufacturer and the customer.

And chipmakers invariably run into production problems. For example, TSMC had been rumored to make Apple chips in the past but struggled with production problems. There were also rumors of disagreements with Apple.

Topics: iPhone, iPad Tags: 16-nanometer, FinFET, TSMC, A8, A7, 3D transistor, Apple, A9, Intel, Samsung, 14-nanometer

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