Tsmc

Apple supposedly contracting TSMC to produce A6X processor

By Derek Kessler, Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 a 5:25 pm

It's a rumor that's been making the rounds for quite some time, going back as far as March of 2011: Apple moving production of their custom ARM-based processors from Samsung to TSMC. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has increasingly been named as a principle benefactor of Apple's unhappy relationship with rival and former frenemy (now verging on full-time enemy) Samsung. Now, According to the AFP, the Taiwanese Commercial Times is reporting that TSMC has been contracted by Apple to produce the company's A6X chip.

Apple and Samsung move from love/hate to hate/hate

By Joseph Keller, Monday, Oct 15, 2012 a 3:19 pm

Apple seems to be moving to reduce its reliance on Samsung for the manufacture of the A-series processors found in iOS devices, and are possibly planning a move to another company for the production of future chips. While Apple and Samsung have been at odds in the smartphone market, they've remained close partners in manufacturing. The increasing rivalry between the two companies when it comes to the former is cited as the reason for their deteriorating relationship when it comes to the latter. The The Korea Times reports that love-hate might be turning into pure hate.

Apple may say goodbye to Samsung for quad-core chips

By Joseph Keller, Friday, Oct 12, 2012 a 2:23 pm

Apple may be changing chip manufacturers as it moves towards quad-core processors in its iOS devices over the next couple of years. While Samsung has produced the chipsets for most iOS devices so far, including the Apple-designed A6 found in the iPhone 5, it may not be the direction Apple will head in the future.

Apple to move chipset production from Samsung to TSMC with Apple A6 SoC in 2012?

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Jun 27, 2011 a 12:34 pm

Given the increasing legal contention between Apple and Samsung, perhaps it should come as no surprise that Apple is considering moving production of their next generation Apple A6 system-on-a-chip (SoC) to from the Korean conglomerate to Taiwan's TSMC.

Apple to partner with TSMC and move away from Samsung processors?

By chrisoldroyd, Wednesday, Mar 9, 2011 a 10:48 pm

Apple is rumored to have signed a deal with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co) to manufacture the A5 dual-core processor found in the iPad 2. The deal is said to be a foundry relationship. Apple will use TSMC’s 40-nm process for the A5 and will work with TSMC on a 28-nm process too.

This new deal could spell trouble for Samsung, the manufacturer of the A4 processor found on the original iPad.; Samsung also manufacture the processor for the iPhone 4. It is now "unclear" whether Samsung will play any part in building the A5 chip for Apple in the future.