Apple’s A8 Chips Allegedly to be Made by TSMC, not Samsung

[RaduTyrsina]

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Apple and Samsung are rivals and partners in the same time, as they are currently involved in a number of patent battles around the world but they still collaborate on the production of hardware needed for the making of iPhones and iPads. According to Taiwanese financial newspaper Commercial Times, first reported by AFP, the next generation of Apple’s custom system on a chip for mobile devices will be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Thus, if the report turns out to be true, Samsung will lose a highly lucrative deal which was bringing in quite a lot of money for the Korean company.

TSMC has allegedly already begun production of the new chip, the A8, which could be destined to power Apple’s next smartphone, the iPhone 6. Up until now, Samsung has produced all of the chips for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, as well as the latest 64-bit A7 SoC found in the iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display.

But nothing’s sure at the moment and the main reason why Samsung could maintain its partnership with Apple is because the company has proved to be capable of providing enough supply to Apple. Since the deal with TSMC would be a new one, it’s not sure whether the new partner would be able to keep up with consumer demand. It’s already obvious that Apple is trying to gradually move away from its reliance on Samsung for components, but we wonder if it will happen this year?

Source: iPhoneForums

 

[Ser Aphim]

This could blow the face of samsung really bad.

Just a question though, does samsung ONLY assemble the chips or also makes them?

 

[RaduTyrsina]

both, I guess

 

[Ser Aphim]

both, I guess

If that's true though, I am concerned if it may cause any changes in how the phone will function.