Apple’s second generation iPad and fifth generation iPhone will sport dual core processors, according to Rodman & Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar. If Mr. Kumar is right, this will mark the first time a handheld device from Apple moved beyond single core chips.
“Apple is on track to refresh the iPad by March and iPhone by late summer,” Mr. Kumar said, according to CNET. “A key component upgrade across these platforms will be a dual-core processor featuring a pair of 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 cores.”
Analyst expects dual core iPad, iPhone soon
Assuming Apple does transition the iPhone and iPad to dual core processors, the devices could potentially process tasks faster and handle more robust multitasking compared to the models that are available today. A dual core processor could, however, impact battery life which is a touchy subject with consumers.
Based on current demand, Mr. Kumar thinks Apple could maintain quarterly iPad shipments around the 6 million unit mark, giving the company about half of the tablet market in 2011.
Apple is currently trading at US$326.10, up 1.42 (0.44%).