The A8 is believed to be the 64-bit processor that Apple is going to use for its 2014 crop of mobile devices, which basically includes new iPhones, new iPads and even the new iPod touch. There have been a lot of contradictory reports about who gets to mass produce the A8 processor. Samsung’s name has come up multiple times in the past, primarily because it has been a major supplier of Apple for quite some time, but recent reports suggested that Taiwan’s TSMC may have bagged bulk of the orders. It was claimed that this was due to Samsung facing yield issues with A8 processors’ production.
Now apparently an unnamed Samsung official has told ZDNet Korea that claims about Samsung facing manufacturing issues were “exaggerated claims,” and that the company is on its way to start mass production of the A8 processors in the second quarter of this year. Apparently the bulk of Samsung’s manufacturing will take place at its Austin, Texas plant.
And while Samsung may just be gearing up to start production, Taiwan’s Commercial Times recently reported that TSMC has already started production of the A8 processor for Apple. If that is true, it certainly has a head start, though officially it hasn’t been revealed how the orders are going to be split with both manufacturers. Historically, Apple has largely depended upon Samsung for its mobile chips.