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TSMC Preparing To Manufacturer A6X Chip As Apple Looks to Ditch Samsung

Posted by Unknown on from the about-that-lawsuit dept.

An anonymous reader writes with reports that TSMC is preparing to do a first test run of Apple's A6X chipset currently manufactured by Samsung. The TSMC manufactured chips will feature a process shrink from 32nm to 28nm, and there's a good chance Apple will grant them the contract for the next generation A7 chip. From SlashGear: "The test will kick off in Q1 2013, The China Times reports, with TSMC producing a new, 28nm version of the existing 32nm A6X that Samsung has been producing for the full-sized iPad 4th-gen; the smaller chip, which will likely be more power efficient as well, will debut in a new iPad 5th-gen and iPad mini 2."

10 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Now we can wait for the hardware repetition of the Google Maps fiasco. Whose head is going to roll this time when the shit hits the fan?

    1. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by _xeno_ · · Score: 5, Interesting

      They already did the hardware version of the Google Maps fiasco. People are literally returning the MacBook Pros that use the new, non-Samsung screens, in hopes of being able to buy one that uses the older Samsung screens, because the newer screens apparently ghost like crazy.

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      You are in a maze of twisty little relative jumps, all alike.
    2. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by gaspyy · · Score: 5, Informative

      At first I thought this was a hyperbole or just some anecdote, but it seems to be a legitimate issue: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4034848

    3. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by JDG1980 · · Score: 5, Informative

      This is slightly different. The same chip is being produced (it's Apple's design), it's just a different manufacturer. No doubt Apple will be paying per chip and not per wafer, so if anything does fuck up it'll be on TSMC's head. Plus it's not like TSMC doesn't know a thing or two about producing chips.

      Remember "bumpgate"?

      I don't really care what TSMC's wafer yields will be; that's Apple's problem. What concerns me is that TSMC may make faulty chips that break down over time, so that iDevices start to malfunction shortly after the 1-year warranty is up.

      TSMC's record is not encouraging. They totally screwed up the transition to 28nm according to both nVidia and Qualcomm. And it is that process on which Apple plans to build.

      Apple needs to focus on building good products, not screwing over their competitors.

    4. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by neokushan · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't think this move is just to screw over Samsung (although that's no doubt a happy coincidence for apple). I think someone at Apple has realised that Samsung could decide not to renew the contract and just as easily screw over Apple. As someone else has already pointed out, Apple is still keeping Samsung as a manufacturer in the meantime so even if TSMC does fuck up horribly, Apple won't be in too much trouble.

      There's nothing wrong with ensuring you have more than one supplier for a critical component, especially one that only a handful of companies can produce.

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      +1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill
    5. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by poetmatt · · Score: 4, Informative

      TSMC is at the forefront of producing chips, yes. The word that's not there is successfully. It's not entirely their fault, except that it is.

      Examples: http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2012/04/19/qualcomm-28nm-capacity/1
      http://www.extremetech.com/computing/130937-tsmc-still-struggling-with-28nm-qualcomm-and-nvidia-threaten-to-jump-ship

    6. Re:Ditching strong partners -- smart move! by Joce640k · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They could have done it differently, and coexisted with Apple. Now, they reap their reward. I don't really understand why this is so hard for the Android fanbois to understand.

      I don't think you understand Apple's business model. They've got a loooong list of bullshit patents ready to unleash on anybody who dares to compete with them. Samsung is the most successful Android phone maker, that's why they're being picked on. When Samsung defeats the 'rounded corners' lawsuit Apple will just pick another one from their list. So it goes...

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      No sig today...
  2. Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm so excited to hear about every minor thing Apple does. They sure are a groundbreaking company! Imagine, switching to a different supplier. What insight! What killer business acumen they must have!

    I've never in my life heard of such a thing. An electronics company sourcing a different supplier for components!

    HOLY SHIT APPLE IS SO FUCKING AMAZING! PLEASE POST MORE INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT APPLE!

    I heard a rumor that they are stocking their stationary cabinets with scripto pens, and are no longer using Bics. Is this true!?!?!??!?!?!!

  3. Say it ain't so by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    This could sour the cozy relationship between Apple and Samsung.

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    Have gnu, will travel.
  4. Looks like I better act soon by JDG1980 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I had been planning to purchase an iPad 4 for a while, but I guess I had better do it soon. I don't really want to be a beta tester for Apple/TSMC. There have been serious problems with TSMC's 28nm process and I don't trust them to get it right. And during the past year or so, Apple has shown a disturbing trend of prioritizing screwing over their competitors (Samsung and Google) above providing a good customer experience, as demonstrated by the Apple Maps fiasco and the myriad of problems with LG displays on the Retina MacBook Pro. I'm very concerned that corners will be cut in the rush to TSMC fabrication.