“Samsung Electronics began production of ‘A9,’ the application processor (AP) for Apple’s next-generation smartphone,” Bae Ok-jin reports for Korea IT News. “It applies the 14nm FinFET, the cutting-edge microprocess for system semiconductors, for the first time.”
“According to industry insiders on December 11, SEC began production of Apple’s A9 in the Austin plant in the US using the 14nm FinFET technology,” Bae reports. “Samsung has production lines capable of FinFET process production in Austin, US and Giheung, Korea, but began to produce A9 only in Austin as it is in the initial stage.”
“As Apple is adjusting the A9 chip production quantity shuttling between SEC and TSMC, if TSMC’s production line is stabilized in the future, there is no knowing how SEC will respond,” Bae reports. “SEC’s foundry business was hit hard when Apple orders stopped. Although the entire semiconductor business is booming, securities companies predict that the system LSI business, including the foundry business, will suffer a loss to the tune of KRW800 billion this year. SEC is expected to recover sales loss to a certain extent with the production of Apple A9.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
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