A9

More word Samsung will manufacture Apple’s next-gen A9 processor

Jake Smith ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Apple is moving away from TSMC and back to Samsung to manufacture the chip that is the power house behind the iPhone, reports Recode.

The report notes that Apple had "hoped" to rely more heavily on TSMC for the next-generation A9 processor - probably, you know, because Samsung is a huge rival - but things didn't work out that way because of TSMC's limits in manufacturing.

Samsung will be building the A9 chip using the 14nm process, which allows the chip to run cooler and draw less power from the iPhone's battery. TSMC is unable to manufacture anything smaller than the 20nm process that is currently used in the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Samsung to supply around 75 percent of A9 chips for the next iPhone?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 14, 2018

Apple's forthcoming S-refresh of the iPhone — let's call it an ‘iPhone 6s’ — is likely going to run an in-house designed ‘A9’ mobile processor and as much as 75 percent of the chips will be manufactured by Samsung, Reuters reported Monday citing a story in the South Korean newspaper Maeil Business.

Samsung is going to make the chips from its factory in Austin, Texas though it's unclear how much the contract is worth (likely billions) and which supplier has picked up the remaining 25 percent of orders.

Wait, TSMC to remain Apple’s key supplier for upcoming A9 chip – not Samsung

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will remain the major supplier for Apple's upcoming 14-nanometre A9 processor, reports Taipei Times, contrary to previous reports.

Rumor: Samsung starts building A9 chips for 2015 iPhones and iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 12, 2014

According to an article published by Korea's ETNews on Friday, Samsung has now begun building the 'A9' processors after rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reportedly built the majority of A8 chips for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 devices.

The A9 system-on-a-chip is expected to make its debut in the next year's iPhones and iPads, including the expected iPhone 6s, an S-upgrade to the existing iPhone 6 lineup.

Samsung confirms building 14nm A9 processors for 2015 iPhones and iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 2, 2014

Echoing previous rumors, Samsung of South Korea confirmed to reporters Thursday that it will start churning out mobile processors for Apple before end of the year, ZDNet reported. The chips, likely to be branded under the “A9” moniker, will be manufactured on Samsung's cutting-edge 14-nanometer process technology.

The confirmation came through the mouth of Kim Ki-nam, president of Samsung's semiconductor-making arm and head of System LSI business.

Speaking to reporters at company headquarters in Seoul, Ki-nam quipped that his company's fortunes “will improve positively” once sales are boosted thanks to the lucrative Apple chip deal. The new mobile processor should make their way into 2015 iPhone and iPad devices.

Apple to move from TSMC to Samsung for next-gen chip production

Cody Lee ∙ July 17, 2014

Last year, Apple reached an agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to make processors for its iOS devices. The deal was part of a larger effort by the iPad-maker to reduce its reliance on Samsung.

But the move may not last long. Citing supply chain sources and KGI Securities analyst Michael Liu, Reuters is reporting that Apple is looking to shift production of its 14-nanometer next-generation chips from TSMC to Samsung...

DigiTimes: Samsung receives orders for 14nm Apple A9 chip

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Kicking Samsung out of the supply chain for Apple-designed iPhone and iPad processors may be easier said than done.

For years now Apple's attempted to kickstart mass production of these chips at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry, to no avail.

As TSMC continues to cope with yield issues, technological hurdles and scale, rival Samsung is said to have landed orders for Apple's A9 processor set to appear inside next year's iPhone and iPad devices.

According to a new report by DigiTimes, the somewhat accurate Taiwanese trade publication, the sophisticated microprocessor will be fabbed on Samsung's advanced 14-nanometer process technology, albeit not exclusively...

TSMC to account for bulk of 14nm Apple A9 chips in 2015, industry sources claim

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 18, 2013

After reporting that Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will share next year's production of A8 chips with Samsung, the sometimes-reliable Taiwanese publication, DigiTimes, today said that the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry will account for more than half of total A9 chip output in 2015, with only one-third of chip manufacture to be handled by Samsung.

The South Korea-based Samsung up until this year used to exclusively produce Apple designed mobile processors for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, but Apple's been looking to distance itself from the company in order to prevent Samsung engineers from getting an early glimpse into its upcoming chip tech...

Samsung apparently lands contract to produce A9 chips for iPhone 7 in 2015

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 29, 2016

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a report claiming that Apple has finally inked a deal with TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., to produce chips for iDevices, after the foundry met Apple’s requirements for speed and power usage. Pundits are adamant the agreement put the final nail in the coffin of the Apple-Samsung relationship.

They should hold their horses: it now seems Samsung has wrestled back some of the control amid talk its components arm will indeed produce sophisticated A9 chips to power Apple's iPhone 7 in 2015...

Apple reportedly contracts out next-gen mobile chip manufacture to TSMC

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 24, 2013

After a long period of rumor mongering, it would seem that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry, is finally stealing Apple chip biz from rival Samsung. If a new report out of Taiwan is to be trusted, Apple has cut a long-term deal with TSMC to produce A-series chips for future iPhones, iPods and iPads built on TSMC's 20-nanometer, 16-nanometer and 10-nanometer process technology.

If true, it's the final nail in the coffin in the strained Apple-Samsung technology relationship. And good riddance, too, because Samsung will no longer be able to have a headstart of Apple's future semiconductor solutions...