Report: TSMC To Remain Primary A9 Supplier For Apple, Samsung Used As Backup

[Guest]

TSMC will remain Apple's main supplier for A9 chips, with Samsung acting as backup supplier. In the meantime, TSMC faces continued pressure from Chinese foundries.

Report: TSMC To Remain Primary A9 Supplier For Apple, Samsung Used As Backup : Read more

 

[IInuyasha74]

Why are Intel and Samsung investing in foundries not owned by them? That doesn't make any sense. If you meant they are just looking to build them there, that makes more sense, but it wouldn't really have any kind of big game changing effect on the market since its still basically Intel, Samsung, TSMC, and Global Foundries in the same situation they are already in. Trying to build new fabs with better technology as always.

 

[chyang888]

It is unlikely foundries from China will catch up to TSMC anytime soon. China has been trying to overtake TSMC for 15-20 years (SMIC and others). But the competition from Intel, TSMC, UMC, Global boundaries, Samsung, is fierce. And frankly, semiconductor manufacturing is a money losing proposition and not a good investment for China to be in.

 

[chyang888]

It is unlikely foundries from China will catch up to TSMC anytime soon. China has been trying to overtake TSMC for 15-20 years (SMIC and others). But the competition from Intel, TSMC, UMC, Global boundaries, Samsung, is fierce. And frankly, semiconductor manufacturing is a money losing proposition and not a good investment for China to be in.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Why are Intel and Samsung investing in foundries not owned by them? That doesn't make any sense. If you meant they are just looking to build them there, that makes more sense, but it wouldn't really have any kind of big game changing effect on the market since its still basically Intel, Samsung, TSMC, and Global Foundries in the same situation they are already in. Trying to build new fabs with better technology as always.

Why are Intel and Samsung investing in foundries not owned by them? That doesn't make any sense. If you meant they are just looking to build them there, that makes more sense, but it wouldn't really have any kind of big game changing effect on the market since its still basically Intel, Samsung, TSMC, and Global Foundries in the same situation they are already in. Trying to build new fabs with better technology as always.

I'd bet it's a requirement (official or not) for future sales in the Chinese market or for preferential access to rare earth metals. That way China won't have to "catch up," they'll just take it... uh... "create research partnerships through joint ventures."