14 DAY TRIAL // Two reports from Taiwan indicate that Apple is completely doing away with Samsung’s services when it comes to the next-generation A8 chip for the upcoming iPhone 6. Production of the new processor is being handled by four semiconductor companies in Taiwan.
The hit-and-miss DigiTimes reports that “Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has confirmed that its 20nm wafer starts were delayed recently due to a specification issue of materials used in its CMP (chemical mechanical planarization) process.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Apple had scarce supplies of a new iPhone model because the chip makers are lagging behind. Luckily, though, TSMC has overcome all production issues and has actually increased yield rates.
“The issue has been resolved, and no shipments will be delayed, said the wafer foundry house. [...] The yield rate of the 20nm process has been ramped up significantly since then, reaching a level ahead of schedule,” sources in the supply chain reportedly said.
TSMC is said to have kicked off volume production of its 20nm process node in February, “focusing on Apple's A8 processors.” The chip maker will reportedly “continue to ramp its 20nm capacity quarter on quarter,” and projects that these fabs alone will account for 20 percent of its Q4 revenue this year.
In a separate report from the same Taiwanese publication we learn that Apple has lined up another semiconductor company to handle a small fraction of the A8 chip production.
However, “Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) may land a higher portion of packaging orders for Apple's next-generation A8 processor than the 20% expected previously,” industry sources allegedly noted.
This, after previous reports claimed that Amkor Technology and STATS ChipPAC had each obtained 40% of the total orders.
“However, recent market rumors speculate that Apple may switch its policy and will place more orders with ASE, making the Taiwan-based company the number two backend service provider for A8 chips, trailing after Amkor but ahead of STATS ChipPAC,” the sources said.
So that’s four chip manufacturers handling Apple’s A8 chip production this year: TSMC, ASE, Amkor Technology, and STATS ChipPAC. Samsung isn’t mentioned anywhere in these reports, or in any of the older reporting on A8 chip production.
Apple is expected to announce the all-new iPhone 6 either at its WWDC event in summer, or at a later event in fall (September). The smartphone will reportedly be the company’s first with a display that goes beyond the 4.5-inch mark.