14 DAY TRIAL // Taiwanese chip maker TSMC is reportedly starting production of Apple’s A7 chip – destined for the next-generation iPhone and iPad – as early as this month. The company reportedly fears it will face production risks as Apple tries to pull away from Samsung.
A Taiwan-based publication with ties to Apple’s suppliers, DigiTimes reports that “Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to tape out Apple's A7 processor on a 20nm process in March and then move the chip into risk production in May-June.”
This will reportedly kickstart commercial shipments in the first quarter of 2014, the report notes, citing unnamed industry sources. Asked to comment on the rumor, TSMC was mum.
The Taiwanese chip maker is reportedly expanding its production facilities and plans to “utilize 14-fab to manufacture the A7 chips for Apple,” according to the source.
The A7 SoC (system on a chip) is most likely to be used in the next-generation iPad 5 and iPhone 6.