Samsung has long been an important component manufacturer for Apple but it has been rumored time and time again that the Cupertino company wants to end its reliance on Samsung and divert its supply chain. Apple did sign a contract with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. or TSMC and it is believed that the Taiwan-based company has started shipping processors for the iPhone 6. A new report now claims that Apple will move back to Samsung from TSMC in 2015 for next-generation A-series processors.
Reuters reports, citing a research note from KGi Securities analyst Michael Liu who attended an investor conference at TSMC yesterday, which claims that Samsung will replace TSMC when the time comes to manufacture advanced 14nm processors that Apple will order next year.
Taiwanese publications have also reported that Samsung will be manufacturing 14nm chips for Qualcomm as well and it is believed that Qualcomm has already placed orders with Samsung. No evidence of Apple’s orders has been reported as yet.
It was first rumored earlier this month that Samsung had received trial orders from Apple for the production of the 14nm “A9” processors which would essentially be used in the mobile devices the company releases in 2015.
Apple normally doesn’t comment on supply chain changes so its unlikely that we’ll hear something from the company on this matter. Though it looks like the company’s relationship with Samsung is not yet done.