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Samsung Reportedly Drops Out of Apple's A8 Chip Production Over Low Yields

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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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Apple may rely on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) for the entirety of its A8 processor production in 2014, claims a report from TechNews Taiwan [Google Translate] (via G 4 Games). Samsung allegedly was dropped as a manufacturer because of low yields in its 20 nm manufacturing process for the A-series processor, while TSMC was able to meet Apple's demands.

The Wall Street Journal reported back in June 2013 that TSMC may provide some A-series chips for the Apple's iOS devices in a manufacturing agreement starting in 2014. TSMC was expected to handle up to 70 percent of the manufacturing load, while Samsung would pick up the rest. Production problems may, however, have resulted in Samsung being removed completely from the A8 supply chain.

According to the report, this shift away from Samsung for the A8 processor is not expected to affect production of the A9 processor in 2015. An earlier report suggested Samsung and TSMC may share the production of the A9, with Samsung supplying approximately 40% of Apple's 14-nm A9 chip family in 2015. This latest report claims Apple may start A9 production with TSMC and its 16 nm process and then shift to Samsung and its 14 nm process when the Korean company can meet demand.

Apple's A8 chip is expected to make its public appearance later this year in new iPhone and iPad models.

Article Link: Samsung Reportedly Drops Out of Apple's A8 Chip Production Over Low Yields
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/02/17/samsung-drops-a8-low-yield/
luckydcxx

luckydcxx

macrumors 65816
Jun 13, 2013
1,158
419
For some reason I think that Samesung will be able to meet demands for themselves at the 20nm process.
 
Consultant

Consultant

macrumors G5
Jun 27, 2007
13,314
34
Apple will move away from Samsung sooner or later.

When that happens, Samsung will no longer have the advantage over other Android makers on knowing what Apple is going to make.
 
M

muadibe

macrumors 6502
Oct 11, 2010
368
377
Sounds like Apple might be dumping Samsung for good. As long as Apple experiences no delays in chip supply, should be a good thing in the long run.
 
U

unplugme71

macrumors 68030
May 20, 2011
2,827
754
Earth
Samsung provides better materials for the most part on Apple devices. A lot of other suppliers caused issues - making Apple replace or go back to Samsung on certain things.
 
gnasher729

gnasher729

Suspended
Nov 25, 2005
17,980
5,565
keterboy said:
Am I the only one who thinks TSMC has a horrible logo?
Click to expand...

It's a logo that fits one hundred percent with what the company does. All their customers know that. Your opinion alone makes it clear that you are not their customer.
 
Iconoclysm

Iconoclysm

macrumors 68040
May 13, 2010
3,121
2,545
Washington, DC
unplugme71 said:
Samsung provides better materials for the most part on Apple devices. A lot of other suppliers caused issues - making Apple replace or go back to Samsung on certain things.
Click to expand...

With Samsung responsible for less than 9% of the components in any Apple device, I'm not sure where you're getting this from.
 
dBeats

dBeats

macrumors 6502a
Jun 21, 2011
637
214
Consultant said:
Apple will move away from Samsung sooner or later.

When that happens, Samsung will no longer have the advantage over other Android makers on knowing what Apple is going to make.
Click to expand...

There's "supposed" to be an NDA between Samsung Manufacturing and Samsung Electronics. But we now all know from Samsung's Senior Management that "everything leaks."
 
D

davidcmc

macrumors 6502
Nov 5, 2009
317
55
Consultant said:
Apple will move away from Samsung sooner or later.

When that happens, Samsung will no longer have the advantage over other Android makers on knowing what Apple is going to make.
Click to expand...

What if I told you that, currently, Apple copies more than others?

It's Apple that should be afraid of not knowing what Samsung and Google are going to do.

Have you seen iOS 7? I'd count how many parts of that OS is a copy of Android, but it'd be a waste of my time.
 
Cloudsurfer

Cloudsurfer

macrumors 65816
Apr 12, 2007
1,318
373
Netherlands
Hmm, and to think Intel also had low yields with a sub 22nm process.

You guys, is this technology maybe a little bit over our heads? Shouldn't we just develop the technology more until we've fully mastered the fabrication?
 
FirstNTenderbit

FirstNTenderbit

macrumors 6502
Jan 15, 2013
355
0
Atlanta
Consultant said:
Apple will move away from Samsung sooner or later.

When that happens, Samsung will no longer have the advantage over other Android makers on knowing what Apple is going to make.
Click to expand...

Serious question. How does Samsung know what Apple is going to make? Are you implying that Apple, when sending over component requests, also include a file with their product roadmap? Or is Samsung able to figure out Apple's product information based on the specs of the components?

Genuinely curious.
 
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