Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is reportedly lining up suppliers for their next generation A8 processor. This report comes from DigiTimes. It’s rumored the chip will be manufactured by STATS ChipPAC, Amkor Technology, and Advanced Semiconductor Engineering.
Apple’s new processors part of the upgrade
The new processors will likely be featured inside this year’s upcoming iPhone and iPad upgrades. Apple Insider adds, “[It is] rumored to be a package-on-package system-on-a-chip solution with processors and mobile DRAM in a single package.”
Both Amkor Technology and STATS garnered 40 percent of the tech giant’s orders and 20 percent of the orders went to ASE. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. also has plans to amp up production for the 20-nanometer chip. The production could start during the second quarter.
Rumors of TSMC teaming up with Apple
It’s been rumored for a while now that Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:TSM) (TPE:2330) would receive Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s orders for chips, but nothing came of it. Back in 2012, Apple Insider reported, “In Wednesday’s latest report, industry observers indicated that demand for chips from Apple is expected to be massive, with nearly 200 million CPUs for the iPhone and iPad needed every year.
Those orders are expected to require TSMC to need at least 200,000 12-inch wafers to meet demand from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). It’s also reportedly caused concern among TSMC’s current customers who are afraid they could be squeezed out if Apple takes up the bulk of TSMC’s orders.”
That rumor proved to be false, but it’s been rumored that Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:TSM) (TPE:2330) will finally start manufacturing Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s chips this year. Only time will tell is this rumor comes true.
Samsung, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s main rival, has produced all of the tech giant’s processors. It would make sense for the Cupertino-based company to ditch their rival and tap other companies into making their chips.
