Rumours that Apple was looking to partner with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for upcoming chipsets have surfaced again. Digitimes today reports that the two companies have signed a three-year agreement that will see TSMC supply Apple with next-generation A-series chipsets built using 20nm, 16nm and 10nm process nodes.
Limited production is set to start next month on 20-nanometer Apple A8 chips. Production will then ramp up by the end of the year with the goal of producing 50,000 wafers in early 2014 using newly installed 20nm fab equipment. TSMC will also produce 16-nm Apple A9 and A9X chipsets starting in Q3 2014.
The report adds that the Apple A8 processor will make its way into a new generation iPhone in early 2014 with the A9/A9X to follow in new iPhone and iPad models after that, perhaps in late 2014 or early 2015.
TSMC will dedicate its Fab 14’s phase 4, 5 and 6 facilities to production of Apple A-series processors.
Samsung is currently Apple’s sole A-series chips suppliers. Given their ongoing legal battles, Apple has reportedly been trying for years to find an alternate supplier. It appears to have finally succeeded.
Take these rumours with a healthy pinch of salt: Digitimes is right as often as it is wrong.
Source : Digitimes