Samsung will apparently be the main supplier of processors for Apple's next-generation iPhone, if a new report turns out to be accurate.
Apple's love-hate relationship with Samsung has been going on for what seems like ages, and the frenemies have collaborated on several occasions despite their fierce rivalry. If a new report turns out to be accurate, Apple may heavily rely on Samsung for its 2015 iPhone(s).
The current iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus launched just a few months ago and are still in strong demand, proving to be among the most popular smartphones currently available on the market. Nevertheless, the rumor mill never sleeps and reports are already trying to anticipate Apple's plans for the next-generation iPhone, currently referred to as the iPhone 7 or iPhone 6S.
Several rumors so far have tried to paint a picture of what to expect, indicating that the 2015 iPhone will finally double its RAM to 2GB, boast a dual-lens camera, and other notable improvements on all fronts.
A new report now aims to reveal more information regarding the next-generation iPhone and its internals. More specifically, the Maeil Business Newspaper published a report on Monday, Jan. 26, claiming that Samsung will be responsible for the vast majority of chipset production for Apple's next iPhone. This is not the first time we hear Samsung will handle the chips for the next-gen iPhone, but the new report bolsters previous claims. The publication cites unnamed sources from the semiconductor industry.
"Samsung Electronics beat its rivals, Qualcomm and TSMC, the two big players in the system semiconductor area, to supply application processor (AP) for the 'iPhone 7' and 'Galaxy S6'. This will allow Samsung to leave a profound mark in the system semiconductor business as it did in the memory business," the publication reports.
"According to sources in the semiconductor industry on Sunday, Samsung Electronics will supply A9 for Apple's next handset model iPhone 7. The A8, iPhone 6 AP, has been solely supplied by Taiwan's TSMC, leaving no room for Samsung Electronics to be the AP supplier. However, this time, 75 percent of A9 will likely come from Samsung Electronics, market watchers expect."
This report follows news that Samsung was planning to ditch Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chip from its upcoming Galaxy S6 and go for an in-house Exynos chip instead. Samsung has reportedly decided to drop Qualcomm's chip due to overheating issues.
This latest report out of Korea did not mention how much Samsung would gain from the contract with Apple to make 75 percent of processors for the next-generation iPhone, but it would surely be quite profitable. It also remains unclear for now which other companies will handle the remaining 25 percent of manufacturing.
Keep in mind, however, that it's all in the rumor state at this point, so make sure to take this news with a grain of salt.
