Intel and LG have reportedly come together to make a smartphone SoC. Last year, LG did try its hands at developing a smartphone SoC with the LG Nuclun, but the attempt was seen as a flop in terms of both power consumption and performance.
LG wants to be Samsung
Similar to Samsung, LG makes a lot of components that are required for making handsets, like batteries, displays and more. But unlike Samsung, LG does not have much expertise in making chips.
Citing anonymous industry insiders, a report from The Korean Economic Daily says Intel and LG have been in talks since the start of the year but only recently agreed on a collaboration. No other details of the partnership is known.
It is not the first time when there have been rumors of collaboration between Intel and LG. Previously, there were reports that LG delayed its Nuclun 2 as it wanted to integrate Intel’s XMM 7360 LTE-A radio. Further back, there were reports from Asia that the chip could be developed on Intel’s 14nm node or TSMC’s 16nm technologies, says a report from Phone Arena.
Since the partnership rumors have been heard so many times, this new one must be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Intel-LG alliance includes the upcoming LG Nuclun 2 or a completely new chipset altogether.
Intel to make memory chips in China
Meanwhile, Intel made big news by announcing its intention to make 3D NAND chips in China. Earlier this week, the chip maker said it plans to invest up to $5.5 billion in its Dalian, China plant to convert the facility for making memory chips. The U.S. firm said the plant, which started operations in 2010, will be producing chips by the second half of 2016. The chip maker said its investment will be spread over the next three to five years.
Following the announcement of Intel’s China investment, there were some doubts raised about the Intel-Micron alliance, but the chip maker cleared that the “expansion is part of our global multisource supply strategy and will allow us to best serve our customers.”
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On Thursday, Intel shares closed up 3.09% at $34.40. Year to date, the stock is down by over 6%, while in the last three months, it is up by over 20%.
