Speculation about who is going to build Apple’s A9 processor may be coming to a halt, as Korea’s Electronic Times reports today that not only has Samsung won the contract from Apple, but it’s also entered production.
As per the report, Samsung began fabrication on the new system-on-chip yesterday at its chipmaking facility in Austin, Texas, using a 14 nanometer process.
The A9 chips will be used in the next generation iPhone and iPad devices, which will most likely be unveiled late next year. It was previously reported that Samsung beat out rival TSMC by quoting Apple lower prices for the 14nm FinFET process production. TSMC apparently handled most of the A8 orders for Apple.
Samsung badly needed the order after posting dismal Q3 earnings, which were down a whopping 60 percent in operating profit from the same period in 2013. In comments to the press back in October, Dr. Kinam Kim, president and general manager of Samsung’s semiconductor business, claimed that the company’s profits “will improve positively” once it begins supplying Apple with its A9 chips.
Looks like Apple’s going to have to keep trying (or other companies are going to need to step up their games) if Cupertino ever hopes to permenantly cut itself loose of longtime smartphone nemesis Samsung.
Via: The Verge
