Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:0059935) is reportedly building the first A9 chips for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) using the 14nm process. This report comes after Apple tapped Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to build the vast majority of A8 chips for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
Samsung’s trial builds for the chips will use FinFET technology
Trial builds for the chips will use FinFET technology. Production for the chips started on Thursday at the foundry for Samsung. This was all made part in Apple’s effort to bring back some of the chip production to the United States. It was the alleged agreement which helped Samsung recover foundry quantities it lost. It also gained the upper hand thanks to its 14nm FinFET technologies.
This isn’t to say TSMC has no plans to get in on the hunt with it’s very own 16nm FinFET. Samsung’s chip making business was negatively impacted by Apple’s switch to TSMC. It is important for Samsung to recover from the loss. Last October, there were reports Samsung scored a contract with Apple to build 14nm A9 chips.
Samsung previously manufactured chips for Apple
Before the official launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung made all of Apple’s low-power ARM processors. One of the reasons Apple chose TSMC over Samsung for chip manufacturing was rivalry. Both tech companies clamor for number one spot in the smartphone market. The companies spent money, time, and energy fighting in court over litigations. Apple accused rival Samsung of stealing patents and Samsung shot back with the same accusations.
Previous reports claimed TSMC built all the A8 chips, however more recent rumors indicated Samsung supplied 40 percent of the 64-bit processors. Smaller processors are far more efficient and offers better battery life. In fact, through independent research is was discovered the Apple A8 chip has been know to outperform competition and offer the best battery life for both gadgets.
