Samsung will have nothing to do with Apple's A8 processor. Reports have surfaced that because of the Korean company's low yields, the iPhone maker has decided to go solely with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the production of the newest brain for its iDevices due for rollout later this year.
Taiwanese technology website TechNews reported that the production of the A8 chips has already started. Originally, the plan was to source 70 percent of the new processors from TSMC while getting the 30 percent from Samsung but the low yield of the latter convinced Apple to entrust the whole production to TSMC.
"Sources confirmed that the production of the A8 chip using the 20-nanometer process of TSMC is smoother than Apple expected. The production begun in January 2014 with the volume of production expected to go up in the third and fourth quarters of the year," the Tech News report read [translated]. "In contrast, the production of Samsung have faced delays."
The report added that the production of A9 chip, which is expected to be produced in 2015, will be undertaken by Samsung.
There have been reports before that TSMC will be a manufacturer that will be relied upon by Apple for its next processor for its bigger iPhones and iPads. In December, Apple CEO Tim Cook released a memo hinting that the company prepare for "big plans" that will endear the brand more to customers.
The Korean website Hankyung also reported in September that Apple will only rely on Samsung to produce 30 to 40 percent of its A8 chips while giving the remaining volume to TSMC. With the low yields, the numbers for Samsung apparently have to be pushed toward the TSMC production line.
Meanwhile, popular Apple analyst from KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, believes that the alleged iPad Pro will need a revised operating system and that Apple might need more time to release it.
"According to Kuo, development of the next iPad Air and a new 12.9-inch iPad will be the main focus for Apple in the tablet market this year. As such, progress on a new iPad mini will be affected, he believes. As a result, Kuo said that the chances of a new iPad mini model in the second half of 2014 are 'slim.' He also doesn't expect that development on a new, larger 12.9-inch mode, sometimes referred to as an 'iPad Pro,' will be completed in time for a launch this year, leaving just an iPad Air with A8 CPU and Touch ID as the company's refreshed tablet," reported AppleInsider.
