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Apple back to chips at Samsung??

honeybadger said:
This headline from the Korean Herald claims Samsung is winning back a portion of Apple's chip business in the next generation of phones at 7nm.

Samsung to produce chips for Apple’s new iPhone next year

Any thoughts on why Apple would be willing to go back to Samsung?
Click to expand...

Four things to consider:

  1. Apple left Samsung for TSMC at 20nm due to IP theft
  2. Apple split the chips at 14/16nm due to supply issues and it resulted in the ChipGate controversy
  3. Apple used TSMC exclusively at 10nm
  4. Apple has already taped-out at TSMC 7nm for next year's iPhone
  5. EUV is not today production worthy for the amount of chips Apple needs
  6. TSMC will insert EUV into 7nm when it is ready (2019)
  7. Samsung 7nm requires EUV

So, are you telling me that: Apple will use Samsung 7nm EUV for next year's iPhone? Or the 2019 iPhone? Or split 7nm production between TSMC and Samsung?

If you are convinced Samsung will get all or some of the Apple business short TSM immediately...
 
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Meanwhile, Qualcomm is dropping Samsung at 7nm for TSMC. Without QCOM as a lead customer at 7nm, Samsung may giving away wafers at extremely competitive prices to make up the volume. Apple may have been motivated to give them a bit of business because if Samsung fails at 7nm they stand to lose a significant amount of negotiating power by not being able to credibly dual source.
 
You should never believe any rumour from the Korean press report about Samsung. They habitually make stuff up to make their benefactor look good.
Secondly, Fudzilla says only Qualcomm modems are going to TSMC, SoC stay with Samsung.
 
I am always skeptical of any rumors, however, given that it is believed that Qualcomm is moving more production back to TSMC at 7nm, it makes sense that Samsung could get desperate to replace their business. Its not too different from when they had to find new business to replace Apple when they started moving production to TSMC from Samsung a few years ago.
 
Apple has already taped out one version for next years iphone with TSM 7nm. The same chip with latest PDK and another probably for ipad is also ongoing. Also a third one with TSM N7+ is also on the works for next year tapeout. Still if APP goes to SAMSUNG its for price bargain.
 
Samsung has been collaborating with Apple against Qualcomm's licensing business, both before various anti-trust commissions, and in court filings. That should be worth some chip fab reward to Samsung, from Apple.
 
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