14 DAY TRIAL // Word on the streets of the IC industry is that Apple has already secured production of its upcoming A9 processors for future iPhones, iPads, and perhaps other marvels that the Cupertino giant has prepared for us.
Earlier this week reports broke out that Globalfoundries had been hired by Apple to make application processors (SoCs, as they’re known) for its iDevices. Samsung was said to be helping out with the production.
None of the parties involves in said deal were willing to comment on the matter, and while the rumor remains unconfirmed, additional tidbits are coming by way of a report from Taiwan.
Industry chatter picked up by DigiTimes indicates that “Globalfoundries and Samsung Electronics will team up to vie for A9-series chip orders from Apple.”
“Under the reported tie-up, Samsung will provide related patents and Globalfoundries will handle wafer production,” reads the report. In other words - exactly what was disclosed earlier this week.
But this time around, there’s more information regarding Apple’s plans for future iDevices.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC, is still on track to make the A8 chips for the next-generation iPhone and iPad set for launch in 2014. But Apple is already thinking two years ahead, this being the reason why it has tapped Globalfoundries.
Apparently, Globalfoundries will be making the A9 chip, the most advanced A-series processor ever designed for an upcoming Apple device.
“Globalfoundries will have its Fab 8 complex in Malta manufacture the reported A9 processor chips for Apple, while Samsung will collect royalties for licensing its patents,” people in the IC industry reportedly said.
Considering Apple’s upgrade cycles, an A9 processor would theoretically end up in the iPhone 6s (if it continues to roll out incremental upgrades), or even the iPhone 7 in 2016.