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Samsung Supposedly Wins Orders to Produce Apple Watch Components

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Apr 12, 2001
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Samsung has won the orders to produce Apple's S1 system-in-a-package for the Apple Watch, reports DigiTimes. The S1 produced by Samsung will combine multiple components including the processor, mobile DRAM, NAND flash, and other chips into one package.

apple_watch_blue.png
A report in November shared similar information, noting that Apple would be relying heavily on Samsung for iPhone 6 and Apple Watch components. Namely, Apple was said to be concerned about NAND flash, with its cheaper and slower TLC (triple-level cell) flash memory for larger-capacity iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models said to be the source of crashing issues. Those issues, along with Samsung's competitive prices, were said to be the primary reasons in bringing Apple back to negotiations with the South Korean company.

Apple is said to be targeting a March launch for the Apple Watch, as the company is said to be refining the device's "Watch OS" software and working on hardware components like the inductive charging mechanism. Apple Retail Store workers are also set to begin training during the week of February 9 ahead of the device's launch the following month.

Article Link: Samsung Supposedly Wins Orders to Produce Apple Watch Components
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/01/09/samsung-produce-apple-watch-components/
Just like a married couple I tell you!! The love hate in this relationship is impeccable!!
 
Good. Like previous Apple products, the ones with samsung components will no doubt be the sort after ones. So let the complaining begin....
 
farewelwilliams said:
so they can copy
Click to expand...

This copying is becoming a bit of a grey area these day.... iOS / android seems to be borrowing features from each other.

Hardware wise, my note 4 and iPhone 6 plus are two different phones .
 
Apple would be in dire straights without Samsung. Samsung actually has the technology and smarts to deliver on Apple designs. It would take Apple decades to develop such manufacturing prowess, if it could do it ever. Right now it's depending on cheap Chinese manufacturing which is severely limited when it comes to the leading edge, not least because no-one in their right mind would reveal their latest tech to the Chinese.
 
Tim Cook has destroy the sole business Samsung has that harm Apple
And the new CEO need some fast cash to buy his way to his father's seat

Of course Apple Watch Components will come from them, no one is that desperate in the market.
 
nutjob said:
Apple would be in dire straights without Samsung. Samsung actually has the technology and smarts to deliver on Apple designs. It would take Apple decades to develop such manufacturing prowess, if it could do it ever. Right now it's depending on cheap Chinese manufacturing which is severely limited when it comes to the leading edge, not least because no-one in their right mind would reveal their latest tech to the Chinese.
Click to expand...

You are wrong on several points:

-Apple has never had the ambition to develop a manufacturing capability.
-The reason they don't need develop manufacturing capability is that there are numerous suppliers able to do the same as Samsung. In addition Apple invests large amounts in manufacturers and could easily develop a promising and up and coming producer into a globally leading one capable of producing the amounts Apple needs (GT Advanced being a sad exception).
-If you would investigate a bit and know about about patent protection, you would know that China is actively working to suppress stealing tech and has stepped these efforts up tremendously in previous years. In addition none of the large producers would in their right mind steal Apple tech due to the danger of losing lucrative manufacturing contracts. Copying is a different matter though, but you can be sure that e.g. the Apple Watch copy at CES 2015 is not made by Pegatron or Foxconn. The risk for them losing their contracts with Apple are simply too large.
 
peterdevries said:
You are wrong on several points:

-Apple has never had the ambition to develop a manufacturing capability.
Click to expand...

From Steve's autobiography, it seemed like he was pretty interested in manufacturing, hence the "Apple controls everything" vibe.
 
Last edited:
Icaras said:
From Steve's autobiography, it seemed like he was pretty interested in manufacturing, hence the "Apple controls everything" vibe.
Click to expand...

I know, I read it too. But I guess SJ even realized that it would make no sense to do that as it would create a far too complex organization to manage, and in addition one can still control all aspects even when part is outsourced. Actually it makes controlling easier, because external contracts are easier to maintain than internal contracts (personal and department objectives).

I'm absolutely convinced that part of the reason why Apple is so successful is their focus on core competencies:
-design
-retail management
-supply chain management
-software & hardware integration

I probably left a few out, but you get the point.
 
nutjob said:
Apple would be in dire straights without Samsung. Samsung actually has the technology and smarts to deliver on Apple designs. It would take Apple decades to develop such manufacturing prowess, if it could do it ever. Right now it's depending on cheap Chinese manufacturing which is severely limited when it comes to the leading edge, not least because no-one in their right mind would reveal their latest tech to the Chinese.
Click to expand...

Just remember there's a difference between component manufacturing (such as SoC and displays by Samsung) and product assembly (such as iPhone by Foxconn)
 
Apple realizes that without Samsung components they lose a major advantage.
 
Seems almost every time Apple goes to bed with another manufacturer, eventually they end up running back to Samsung because they can actually deliver with the yields and quality Apple demands. Makes me wonder how many times Apple needs to fall on their face before they accept the reality that when it comes to semiconductor manufacturing, there's only one company that can reliably deliver what they want, when they want it, with the quality they require at the prices they are willing to pay and that is Samsung.
 
ricci said:
Just like a married couple I tell you!! The love hate in this relationship is impeccable!!
Click to expand...

That analogy – companies as persons – is precisely the problem. Both Apple and Samsung are so massive and complex that it really just isn't as simple as making the entire relationship dependent on one rivalry alone. Apple competes with Samsung in end-user products only, but hardly in hardware components. They can be best mates in one area, but rivals in another. That's what these large businesses do. Thinking that Apple should somehow leave Samsung behind because Samsung happens to market the most successful competing products is foolish, it's part of the business.
 
not really related, but that is the exact apple watch I want :)

stainless steel with the blue leather.
 
farewelwilliams said:
so they can copy
Click to expand...

Doubt it does them much good. Samsung made the A7 processor, for all the good it did them.

The Apple Watch, like so many other Apple products, will be hardware and software optimised to work together. Being able to replicate the hardware of the Apple Watch is kinda moot when you can't reproduce the underlying software.
 
nutjob said:
Apple would be in dire straights without Samsung. Samsung actually has the technology and smarts to deliver on Apple designs. It would take Apple decades to develop such manufacturing prowess, if it could do it ever. Right now it's depending on cheap Chinese manufacturing which is severely limited when it comes to the leading edge, not least because no-one in their right mind would reveal their latest tech to the Chinese.
Click to expand...

Funny, because Samsung makes over a fifth of its manufacturing revenue from Apple...they're not doing Apple any favors.
 
And a week later someone else will report that TSMC is getting these orders. At the end of the day does anybody really care?
 
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