Rumor: Apple to Switch to TSMC from Samsung for Chips

Apple has been depending on Samsung’s processors for use in their devices. It isn’t news that Apple Cortex A4 and A5 processors were manufactured by Samsung and were subsequently used in both the iPads. According to sources, Apple has decided to switch processor manufacturers. The plan is to switch to TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) for processors to be used in their upcoming products. The relationship between Apple and Samsung has been under stress recently after Apple launched a lawsuit against them stating that Samsung was copying their designs on many of their products. 

Switching to TSMC looks imminent

If the rumours are true, TSMC will be producing 40nm A6 processors for Apple in 2012. There’s even a possibility of it being a 28nm fabrication process. The first rumours of this move emerged earlier this year even before the launch of the iPad 2. There have been several attacks between the two companies, Samsung and Apple. The latest one involved Samsung asking courts to allow them to see Apple designs before their launch in the market. The courts denied this request. From the looks of things, Apple might have been patient all this while. Once the decision to switch to TSMC might have been made, the decision to fight a case against Samsung might have become much simpler.

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