Report: Apple to stop using Samsung tech

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Report: Apple to stop using Samsung tech

Apple is actively taking steps to stop using Samsung’s technology in its devices, a senior Samsung official told The Korea Times. Industry sources claim that Apple used Samsung only to manufacture the A6 microprocessor found in its iPhone 5 — the design and development were done by Apple alone. By comparison, Samsung is believed to have previously contributed to the design of Apple’s A-series chips to some extent.

Apple’s recent deal with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing for the future production of quad-core processors could completely sever the connection between Apple and Samsung, which is already strained due to patent battles between the two companies. A report claims TSMC will produce Apple’s A7 processors free of Samsung technologies, starting in 2014.

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Comments

1

“Apple used Samsung only to manufacture the A6 microprocessor…”

Design itself does not control results. There is a ton of tribal knowledge in the manufacture of a design, especially one as complex as microprocessors. So “just” changing manufacturing resources can be a disaster.

Let’s hope this goes better than Apple’s other divorces from partners that helped them succeed.

Posted by rockmyplimsoul on October 15, 2012 at 10:27 AM (PST)

2

There are sufficient alternatives out there that this shouldn’t be a problem, but the phrase, “cutting off your nose to spite your face” does come to mind.

While, yes, Apple no longer buying Samsung’s memory and processor chips does deprive Samsung of a lot of “easy” business, the fact remains that Samsung is hands down the most experienced, most capable, most reliable, and likely most cost effective vendor for this stuff. With Android devices selling nearly 2:1 compared to iOS devices, all Apple does by refusing to deal with Samsung is leave their manufacturing capabilities available to competitors.

Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on October 15, 2012 at 1:33 PM (PST)

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