16nm ARM Cortex-A57 CPU ready to hit mass production

    ARM and TSMC announced today that the first ever Cortex-A57 processor has been taped out and is ready to hit mass production.

    The new chip utilizes TSMC's 16nm FinFET manufacturing process, even though the transistors are still 20nm. Still, ARM says the A57 outputs up to three times the CPU power of the Cortex-A15 without affecting battery life. And if its battery life you're after, the A57 can match the Cortex A15 performance while consuming up to five times less power.

    ARM says that the new chip will find its place in future tablets, high-end computers and server products even. Quite extraordinary considering it took ARM and TSMC merely six months to get to the "tap out" stage of the process.

    Sadly, specifics on the chip's launch and landing in potential high-end smartphones haven’t been given. We'd advise you to not hold your breath, as the Cortex-A57 CPU might not see its launch for at least another year.