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Samsung effectively confirms it will manufacture Apple’s next-generation ‘A9’ processors for iOS devices, using 14-nanometer process

a9

At a press conference, ZDNet says that Samsung president of the company’s semiconductor arm is looking forward to reversing its profit forecasts when it starts producing chips for Apple using its next-generation technology.

Kim Ki-nam, president of the Korean electronic giant’s semiconductor business and head of System LSI business, told reporters at Samsung’s headquarters in Seoul that once the company begins to supply Apple with chips using its latest technology, profits “will improve positively”.

Samsung is expected to start producing application processors (APs) for clients such as Apple, Qualcomm, and AMD, using its 14-nanometre process around the end of the year.

Effectively, Samsung has all but confirmed that it is signed up to manufacture Apple’s next-generation SoC for iPhones and iPads, likely named ‘A9’, probably using a 14 nanometer process. The current A8 chip is produced using 20 nanometer fabrication, with most orders being taken by TSMC.

Although Samsung produces about 30% of Apple’s A8 chips, this is down from last year (where it made 100% of Apple’s A7 SoC’s) causing profits to fall. It is currently unclear whether TSMC would be able to meet Apple’s demands for 2015 processors, as its 14 nanometer fabs do not appear to be ready. TSMC is currently expecting to produce 16 nanometer chips in 2015, meaning there is an opening for Samsung to gain exclusive rights to Apple SoC production once again.

As to what devices might incorporate the new chip, if Apple follows tradition both the 2015 iPhones and iPads will get the new chip. It is also a possibility that the rumored 12.9 inch iPad Pro will also feature a new Apple SoC (whether that be an ‘A9’ or an ‘A8X’) for additional performance.

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Comments

  1. FAME - 9 years ago

    Exciting shtuff. Amazing how SoC have caught up to x86, maybe not from a performance standpoint, but when it comes to architecture and power:performance ratio, they are superior. Intel won’t be relevant in this market until Skymont and Cannonlake, even then it looks like SoCs will reach 5nm 2 years before they do.

    This makes me even more confident about holding off upgrading from 4S, next years iPhone/iPads will be beasts. As the competition finally enters the 64-bit, 20nm production, Apple enters 16nm, still 2 years ahead – that is quite admirable. Now if only Apple could be as far ahead with the rest of the hardware they put into iDevices..

    • luckydcxx - 9 years ago

      i wouldn’t let this determine if you should upgrade your 4S. The 5S is a beast, you would be very happy with the 5S, 6 or 6+

      • FAME - 9 years ago

        No I love Apple, but I’m being mercilessly critical this year. I don;t believe they did enough preparation or innovation with this year’s iphones.

        There’s an arrogance coming from Apple year on year that I can let slide but I am confident people upgrading this year will lose out next year.

        Apple intentionally holds back a lot, for the ‘S’ models. Chances of all the features that weren’t market standard this year being revised for next are really high as well as newer, even better features. They always get things right the second time.

    • hungarianhc - 9 years ago

      Personally, I wouldn’t be able to stand holding onto the 4S for another year… However, I do feel ya on the 6S. I think that’s going to be a VERY exciting device!

      • FAME - 9 years ago

        Haha I’ve learnt to be very patient skipping both 5 and 5S. This year was underwhelming just as I felt 5S was, I believe 6S will be a proper game changer, even more than 5S was especially with the completion now going 64 bit as well. They did well enough to be moderate this year, they were testing water, but as we know from Apple, second time is always the charm!

    • dafthunk - 9 years ago

      FAME I’m interested to hear what you think will be such a game changer on the 6s which makes it worth holding off for? Since when have the S versions been revolutionary? To me they seem to be, by nature constrained to always being an evolutionary model.

      S versions use the same design, same screen (size and res at least). It’s a chance for Apple to consolidate on their previous massive R&D and produce a similar phone for lower cost. The main things to look forward to are slightly improved camera and slightly faster internals. Touch ID is the biggest change I can think of in an S version. Then sometimes Apple are devious enough to restrict a new iOS feature to the latest phone ;)

      The new model is always their biggest chance to innovate. Just look at the history of releases. I think you’ll be disappointed if you’re looking towards to the 6s as the game changer. However if you’re looking for a slightly more refined phone then the S will probably have that as Apple has more experience and feedback with that design.

      • FAME - 9 years ago

        I’m quite critical towards, none of the phone since 4 interested me. However, S iterations aren’t modest like their predecessors. They have been revolutionary each generation from an engineering perspective, especially were the SoC is concerned. They are always about the hardware, not design. Next year is the most important year for mobile technology because the industry standard has bee widely adopted. The competition has closed the 24 month head-start Apple got not only with SoC architecture, but with 64 bit support. If Apple wants to be relevant in the new market it has to once again revolutionize, and it will. Expect to see

        New resolutions:
        6S Plus scaled @3.5x (2576*1449) instead of current @3x (2208*1242) downscaled to FHD.
        6S scaled @3x (2001*1125) downscaled to FHD instead of current @2x (1334*750).

        A9 (14nm – confirmed by Samsung):
        4 cores, 2GB ram (they have no choice, Qualcom’s 64 bit 8/6/4 core chips launch next year using the same 14nm manufacturing process from Samsung, IMG PVRGX6650 GPU (or new 7 series if announced).

        Apple’s jump from 28 nm to 20nm with A8 yielded amazing efficiency and performance gains, particular from the 4-core GPU. 20nm to 14nm is far greater from a performance, if they use Cyclone architecture again without increasing clock speed performance will double, efficiency will tripple. However, if they add additional core as I am predicting they will, performance will triple and efficiency will only double.

        I also have a hunch they will release 2 different versions of each phone – quad core and dual core. If by chance Apple decides to bet everything on the table, they will have 8-core and 4-core variants but those would be seen in iPads and new Macbooks. Bank accounts everywhere are in danger if those chips make it to the phone,

        Improved Camera:
        Front – FHD recording @60/120 fps
        Back – FHD recording @240 fps, QHD @120, 4K@60, Slomo @320

        Improved connectivity:
        Lightining Port 2:USB-C support, Added LTE bands, Cat-6 adoption, 2 stream bandwidth.

        Minor design revision:
        Improved structure; perhaps a change in material to address bending issue.

        New hardware feature:
        Secondary NFC chip giving developers access, Pulse sensor and temperature reader via Touch ID.

      • dafthunk - 9 years ago

        Interesting points, but I wouldn’t call that a bigger jump than 5s to 6. Not by a long shot. I think you’ll be holding on to your 4 until the 7 :P

  2. Dave Huntley - 9 years ago

    So samsung needs Apple now to be profitable, yet look at the ads laughing at the iPhone, not only are people lining up to buy it, but samsung now lines up to print out the processors for it… How ironic! Samsung loves the iPhone too!

    • Jaromír Miko - 9 years ago

      in fact, this is only about Samsung’s semiconductor division. Totally there are like 40 different subsidiaries including one that builds ships for Shell etc. which is pretty interesting, considering that only the Electronics and Mobile division are well-known.

  3. fjose1929 - 9 years ago

    Baloney. JUST PARSE THE WORDING. ‘Once’, meaning there is really no such agreement.

    WS is desperately trying to save Samsung. I believe this time Samsung is completely out. The article tries to state that even the iOS 8 is made by Samsung.

    Samsung is in a free fall. The shysters are going to great lengths to save them. There needs to be a narrative implying that Samsung will be privy to apple’s technical plans and given that they have no qualms at imitation, android has a chance at keeping up with apple’s advances.

    Pure garbage. TSMC will monopolize apple’s requirements.

  4. That’s interesting news, considering Samsung was already 1+ year behind process development when compared to TSMC and just this year was to begin 20nm development. Maybe they’ll pull it off but maybe it’s just wishful thinking that they’ll completely bypass 16nm and be able to tape 14 – AND ship volume in 2015.

    At this point, anyone wanting to hedge their bets would be better off following proven track records, and that has TSMC out front.

  5. crateish (@crateish) - 9 years ago

    Seriously Apple, Dump Samsung, like you did Google.

    Bring production back to the states.

    • TfT_02 (@TfT_02) - 9 years ago

      Tim has mentioned in an interview that he would love to bring full production to the states, but that it would not be impossible without increasing the prices of their products.

  6. hijaszu - 9 years ago

    Well, well, well. Samsung research will be boosted again :D

  7. thatsdb - 9 years ago

    So let me get this straight… Samsung makes chips for Apple, and Apple get angry because Samsung steals, bites, duplicates, and copies its products. Apple then sues Samsung for a laundry list of theft, meanwhile in China the Iphone 6 is probably being made and duplicated by any number of companies. APPLE are you just stuck on STUPID? Those folks are robbing you blind. Why not build the damn things at home? Why not build the chips at home?

    • Andrew John - 9 years ago

      When one is supposed to be your business partner, wouldn’t you expect some professional courtesy? One is a street thief, the other is a professional thief. Ask anyone who’s done business with them.

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Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.