TSMC is reportedly churning out 10-nanometer "A11" processors for Apple's "iPhone 8," which is likely to be announced early next month — even if a ship date is still nebulous.
Samsung is working to triple its share of the contract chip manufacturing industry within the next five years, a company executive said on Monday — possibly supporting rumors that Apple will add Samsung back to A-series production for next year's iPhones.
Samsung may not return to making Apple's A-series processors in 2018 as once thought, with a new report claiming chip producer TSMC's 7-nanometer FinFET fabrication process could help the firm retain its status as sole processor supplier for the upcoming 'A12' chip.
On the heels of a rumor that Samsung has inked a deal with Apple to supply A-series processors in 2018, rival chipmaker TSMC is stepping up its own efforts to build 7-nanometer chips, in a potential showdown for production of an Apple-designed "A12" processor.
Third party analysts have examined the A10X Fusion processor found in the new iPad Pro, and it has been confirmed to be the first chip in a device using TMSC's FinFET 10nm chip fabrication process.
Potentially confirming rumored details about the "iPhone 8," a report claims that a TSMC representative spoke out about specific details about the new device at the NA Technology Symposium on Thursday.
The latest supply chain reports out of China are refuting previous observations that the "iPhone 8" would be delayed, and are claiming that manufacturers of previous low-yield products have resolved production problems.
A new supply chain report from Apple's suppliers suggests that the company is escalating orders compared to previous years, and is readying over 50 million iPhones for sale per quarter during the second half of calendar year 2017.
Apple chip supplier TSMC is examining all its options for a 3nm chip foundry location, but still on the table is a U.S. plant worth $16 billion, with an estimated completion of 2022.
Samsung is reportedly intensifying its investments into chip production, with an eye on once again manufacturing A-series processors for Apple starting in 2018.
The Japanese government is preparing to vet the security of potential bidders for a majority stake in Toshiba's memory business — something that could give U.S. companies an edge, but stop Apple suppliers Foxconn and TSMC, a report said on Friday.
Two of Apple's main supply chain partners — Foxconn and TSMC — are joining together to bid for a majority stake in Toshiba's memory business, a report said on Tuesday.
Apple is developing a custom fingerprint sensor for its OLED-based "iPhone 8," and as a result might not begin production of the device until September — well after a July start date for two LCD-based iPhone models, a report claimed on Friday.
Apple's main mobile processor manufacturer, TSMC, is reportedly set to begin commercial shipments of 10-nanometer chips in the next month — likely supporting claims that the "A11" processors in upcoming iPhones will use the technology.
Apple, Foxconn, and TSMC are among a group of over 10 companies hoping to win a majority stake in Toshiba's flash memory business, reports say.
Earlier today Intel announced a new XMM 7650 Baseband Processor modem today to take on Qualcomm's X16. Unlike previous Intel modems, the new product supports CDMA in addition to LTE, as well as high speed LTE Category 16, enabling gigabit downloads. The new chip could enable global mobile support for Apple's next iPhones.
Three of Apple's key suppliers — Foxconn and its subsidiary Sharp, as well as chipmaker TSMC — have all expressed interest in taking advantage of business-friendly incentives proposed by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, though no commitments have been made.
Apple chip manufacturer TSMC is reportedly on schedule to receive the first designs for chips using the 7nm FinFET process in the second quarter of 2017, paving the way for new power-sipping A-series processors for future iPad and iPhone models.
Apple chip supplier TSMC is encountering lower-than-expected yield rates for its new 10-nanometer manufacturing process, something that could potentially delay the launch of new iPads in March, a report claimed on Friday.
Samsung is reportedly looking at splitting off its chip fabrication business from the design aspects, to try and gain traction for the division after Apple abandoned it in the iPhone 7, and possible the future, in favor of TSMC.
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Roger Fingas
Malcolm Owen
Neil Hughes
Mike Wuerthele
Daniel Eran Dilger
