Samsung to Share 14 nm A9 Chip Orders With TSMC in 2015 [Digitimes]

Digitimes reports that Samsung has inked a deal with Apple to manufacture up to 40% of their A-series 14 nm chips in 2015. The rest will be covered by Apple’s new partner TSMC.

Samsung Electronics has signed a contract for the production of Apple’s next-generation smartphone application processors to be used in 2015 using 14/16nm FinFET processes, according to sources within Apple’s supply chain.

The sources also reiterated that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is believed to be the main foundry for 20nm A-series chips for Apple’s 2014 iPhone series, has already grabbed a portion of the 14/16nm FinFET chip orders from the smartphone vendor.

The news confirms earlier reports claiming that despite its efforts to reduce reliance on Samsung, Apple’s fiercest rival in the smartphone market will be a part of the company’s supply chain as a component supplier.

Samsung was said to be supplying Apple 14 nm A9 chips for the iPhone 7(?), but the rumour mill has also heard that the Cupertino company has already inked a deal with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for A9 chips, so there is a lot of confusion about who the next chip supplier will be.

The Apple–TSMC deal was later confirmed by WSJ’s sources, but as industry sources said earlier this year, Samsung will also help out with A8 chips.