Report: Apple Working on A6 Chip Along with the A5X
So which one will power the iPad 3?
Last week, photos got out that purported to show an Apple iPad 3 logic board with a SoC labeled 'A5X.' Up until this point, many had assumed the iPad 3 would pack an all-new A6 system on chip. This assumption was based on the fact that the original iPad was based on the A4, while the iPad 2 was based on the A5. However, last week's photos seemed to suggest that the newest iPad would feature a beefed up version of the A5 as opposed to an all new chip.
Though this may well be the case, the latest rumors say Apple is also working on the A6. 9to5Mac says it has found reference to both an A5X and what is presumably the A6 buried deep in iOS 5.1. Apple's A4 and A5 are referred to as S5L8930X and S5L8940X, respectively. Previous rumors have pointed to Apple code that refers to a chip called the S5L8945X. Based on this, it's assumed that the A6 will be the S5l8950X -- a full jump of 10 from the A5. The screenshot below shows reference to both a S5L8945X and a S5L8950X:
So, what does it mean? Well, as with most things Apple, we have no idea and probably won't until Cupertino holds an official launch. It's likely that Apple is developing the A6 for use in future products, however, it is also possible that the company plans to use it at the same time as the A5X. 9to5Mac suggests the dual-core A5X could be used in the as-yet-unconfirmed Apple-branded TV while the quad-core A6 could appear in the iPad 3. This seems more likely than, say, the A5X being used in a cheaper iPad while the A6 takes up residence in a full-price or luxury model.
Apple is rumored to be launching the iPad 3 next month. So far, the most prevalent launch date rumor seems to be March 7, which is Wednesday of next week. Stay tuned.

Apple working on iphone 1 along with iphone 2, working on ihpone 2 alone with 3. 4 alone with 4s.
shitt....... no wonder every new release or big upgrade from apple is no more than just the differences in the price. louder thunder but small rain, they develop the same tech in the same time but a bit different and release it next year claim it as new generation.
Yeah but every tech company does (or tries to do) the same thing. Only difference is Apple gets press about it, so their thunder comes free of charge.
Me too, and this is coming from someone who uses Apple products daily (mostly at work). Don't mind as much when there is hard-facts but this speculation stuff is bleh.
GIVE WIDESCREEN ON THE IPAD AS THE 4:3 ASPECT RATIO IS SO LAST CENTURY IT'S NOT FUNNY
That being said, enough of the speculation game. I know it's risen to be an almost eSport to guess at what is coming out, but please. Stop the madness. Everyone will know in a few days what's next. Then people can sing praises or throw bombs, according to their own inclinations.
OK, how about we tell Audi that it's A6 name is being used by Apple ?
After all, Audi is using the "A" for their car designation like Apple is using the 'i'.
Personally, I'm just happy to see continued development of faster chips, higher resolution displays, more accurate sensing, and smarter software running on the hardware. Who cares which company is making it all? The competition is good for R&D budgets around the entire industry.
That said, who really cares if Apple is working on a new chip? I'd rather hear that there's an ICS phone with a 4"+ IPS LCD 1280x720+ screen (retina display quality...just bigger :0), über fast performance (I don't care about core count), and Razr Maxx build quality (or Apple), Razr Maxx thinness, and Razr Maxx battery life that is competitively priced. ...but it seems I ask for too much.
Yeah, that's the kind of news I really want to read though.
Yeah, you're right but in the small invisible print it also reads "Tom's Hardware for non-Apple fans".
Problem is if they change the chip name to i6, they will have to suceed it with i7, and they are less afraid of Audi than they are of Intel.
The A5x and A6 are hardware and if you scroll up to the top of this page you'll see "HARDWARE".
You don't like, don't read! Just remember to change your diapers first
Bring on the Thumbs Down!! W00T!
*trolling mission for the day acomplished*
As for this: "Does it really do anything new?"
You, sir, clearly do not game on an iOS device. The difference between the experience of the A4 and the A5 is significant. Many of the graphics-intensive gaming apps will, in fact, only run on the iPad 2 because of this. So while a new A6 chip may not do anything "new", it certainly will enable new things. But if you're still hooked on Flash, perhaps that's not your bag? Have fun in 2006.
2006? Youtube still uses flash. HTML5? I heard about it way before you did apple boy. Besides I just built my 2nd pc last night, spending as much as I want to on what I want to. Can you do that with your little iPad? No, you're stuck with what you got. And the battery replacement?? Don't make me laugh.
Retina display? Really? What do we need next? I mean really?