X

ARM: Who needs 128-bit chips?

The mobile chipmaker says 128-bit processors might have a place in mobile devices in years to come, but for now, 64 bits is all we need.

donreisinger.jpg
donreisinger.jpg
Don Reisinger
Former CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
See full bio
Don Reisinger
Apple's Phil Schiller talking about the company's 64-bit A7 chip.
Apple's Phil Schiller talking about the company's 64-bit A7 chip. CNET

ARM, the chip-architect that's behind nearly all of the mobile processors being used today, has no plans to work on 128-bit processors anytime soon.

In a blog post published on Friday, the company said that its 64-bit architecture will support "the needs of the computing industry now and for many years to come." The company added that it has no plans for "128-bit ARM-based chips because they simply aren't needed."

The blog post comes after Korea Herald published a story earlier this week saying that ARM is in fact working on 128-bit chip designs. That report included comments allegedly made by an ARM executive. In its official post, however, ARM denied any of those discussions took place.

"Comments attributed to any ARM executive including my colleague Antonio Viana that allegedly discuss any specific partner's chip plans for the future or 128 bit development are inaccurate: no such comments have been made," the company said.

Apple made waves earlier this year after announcing that its new iPhone 5S comes with a 64-bit chip. Not to be outdone, Samsung said it plans to put 64-bit processors in its smartphones, but those devices aren't expected until 2014. In its blog post on Friday, ARM said that it expects many more companies to announce 64-bit processors in the coming months.