Apple's A9 SoC enters production at Samsung plant in Austin

Shawn Knight

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samsung apple iphone ipad tsmc a8 a9 soc a8x a9

The A9 chip that’ll power Apple’s next generation of iDevices has entered production. The successor to the A8 found in the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the A8X variant in the iPad Air 2 is reportedly being fabricated by Samsung using its 14-nanometer manufacturing process according to a report from Korean IT news site Electronic Times.

The new chip just entered production yesterday at Samsung’s manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas.

samsung apple iphone ipad tsmc a8 a9 soc a8x a9

Landing the A9 contract is a huge deal for Samsung as Apple leaned heavily on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to build the A8. Apple will still rely on TSMC to produce some of the A9 chips, we’re told, but the lion’s share of the order will go to Samsung.

Such news shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to anyone that has been following the company as of late. In October, Samsung semiconductor business president and general manager, Dr. Kinam Kim, told reports that his company’s profits will be impacted positively once they start turning out chips for Apple using their new 14-nanometer process.

It’s unclear at this time when Samsung will deliver the first batch of chips to Apple. I suspect they still have plenty of time to get the job done when you consider Apple typically launches its new iPhones in the fall or early winter months.

Samsung has struggled as of late as its most recent quarterly results disappointed investors. Such is to be expected when profits fall to their lowest level in more than three years. With any luck, the order from Apple will provide a much-needed boost.

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