Samsung pushing hard for 'A13' chip orders from Apple
Though effectively shut out of Apple processor manufacturing for years, Samsung is allegedly making a hard push to win back some chip orders from TSMC in 2019.
Apple's expected 2018 iPhone lineup.
To achieve that goal Samsung is in "full throttle" development of InFO (integrated fan-out) packaging technology, and also claims to be ahead of TSMC in production using 7-nanometer extreme ultraviolet lithography, or EUV, according to DigiTimes sources. TSMC's latest InFO technology has reportedly cleared verification from Apple, allowing it to snap up "A12" processor orders for this year's iPhones.
Samsung has even dropped its order quotes for EUV by 20 percent, hoping to attract business from a variety of companies, but supposedly with "little response." This is thought to be because of quality and yield risks with 7-nanometer EUV, something that TSMC is still struggling with. TSMC may not fully integrate EUV into production until it moves to 5-nanometer chips.
Even Samsung could potentially focus its initial EUV use on chips for its own Galaxy S10 phones, despite the appeal of a client as large as Apple.
TSMC has boasted that its InFO method reduces the thickness of chip packaging while improving processor speed and power dissipation. EUV is an advanced method of printing the actual circuitry, but complex for a variety of reasons, such as requiring a vacuum due to the fact that all matter absorbs EUV radiation.
Samsung was once the exclusive manufacturer of Apple's A-series processors for iPhones and iPads. As the two companies increased competition and legal battles, though, Apple began migrating to TSMC, which now enjoys a monopoly over supply. That could be a reason for Apple to bring Samsung back in, since it could force chip prices down.
Samsung is still enjoying business from Apple however as the exclusive supplier of display panels for the iPhone X. The company remains the only OLED manufacturer with capacity to meet Apple demand, and is expected to hold onto that role with 2018 iPhones, though the mix could diversify in 2019.
Apple's expected 2018 iPhone lineup.
To achieve that goal Samsung is in "full throttle" development of InFO (integrated fan-out) packaging technology, and also claims to be ahead of TSMC in production using 7-nanometer extreme ultraviolet lithography, or EUV, according to DigiTimes sources. TSMC's latest InFO technology has reportedly cleared verification from Apple, allowing it to snap up "A12" processor orders for this year's iPhones.
Samsung has even dropped its order quotes for EUV by 20 percent, hoping to attract business from a variety of companies, but supposedly with "little response." This is thought to be because of quality and yield risks with 7-nanometer EUV, something that TSMC is still struggling with. TSMC may not fully integrate EUV into production until it moves to 5-nanometer chips.
Even Samsung could potentially focus its initial EUV use on chips for its own Galaxy S10 phones, despite the appeal of a client as large as Apple.
TSMC has boasted that its InFO method reduces the thickness of chip packaging while improving processor speed and power dissipation. EUV is an advanced method of printing the actual circuitry, but complex for a variety of reasons, such as requiring a vacuum due to the fact that all matter absorbs EUV radiation.
Samsung was once the exclusive manufacturer of Apple's A-series processors for iPhones and iPads. As the two companies increased competition and legal battles, though, Apple began migrating to TSMC, which now enjoys a monopoly over supply. That could be a reason for Apple to bring Samsung back in, since it could force chip prices down.
Samsung is still enjoying business from Apple however as the exclusive supplier of display panels for the iPhone X. The company remains the only OLED manufacturer with capacity to meet Apple demand, and is expected to hold onto that role with 2018 iPhones, though the mix could diversify in 2019.
Comments
I would not be at all surprised if one of the big chipmakers finds itself incapable of keeping up in this race. And the chipmaker to fall behind may very well be Intel, inconceivable as that might have been 5 years ago. By missing out on mobile, Intel has shut itself out of the revenue stream that can fund these increasingly expensive process nodes.
What about Samsung getting a detailed look at Apples chip designs, which could then find their way into Samsungs own chips?
By doing this:
https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/9/5084250/judge-orders-samsung-explain-itself-apple-nokia-licensing-leaks
And this:
https://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/12/08/03/judge_denies_apple_request_for_sanctions_against_samsung_over_evidence_leak
And more.
Fool me twice and you know......
Samsung deserves to burn.
Fab A series chips
Steal design information
Use the information in their own products.
Apple Sues Samsung
Samsung ties the suit up in court for decades while raking in billions.
Sounds like Samsung's style.
If I were Apple, I would look to not only try to take smartphone sales away, but also hurt them in other areas such as not using Samsung for anything involving any iPhone model where all possible.