14 DAY TRIAL // Intel could become one of the leading ARM based SoC manufacturers in the electronics world if the company manages to persuade Apple to move the production of the A4 and A5 chips to its factories, claims a recent report.
Intel will not be leading in terms of volume, but it could build the most advanced ARM SoCs available on the market as it is the only company to be ready for the mass production of 22nm chips.
Such a move would of course require Apple to redesign its A4 and A5 chips for Intel's Tri-Gate 22nm node, but it has the potential of delivering some of the most energy efficient chips in the industry by combining Intel's advanced process technology with the low-power ARM design.
The first news regarding Intel's interest in making the A4 and A5 processors on a foundry basis for Appley appeared a few days ago in a report form a Piper Jaffray & Co. analyst.
''Based on a number of inputs, we believe Intel is also vying for Apple's foundry business,'' said Gus Richard.
''It makes strategic sense for both companies. The combination of Apple's growing demand and market share in smart phones and tablets gives Intel a position in these markets and drives the logic volume Intel needs to stay ahead in manufacturing.''
Right now, the A4 and A5 SoC solutions are built by Samsung, but this could change as the Korean company is one of Apple's main competitor in both the tablet and the smartphone markets.
Previous reports have suggested that Apple is interested in striking a deal with TSMC as the company is interested in using the 40nm manufacturing process for building the A5 chip.
For now, it still remains to be seen who will manufacture Apple SoC's in the future, but Intel may just as well be one of the main contenders. (via EETimes)