WASHINGTON: The next iPhone is reportedly set to leave competition far behind with processor performance unrivaled on the market, thanks to a “sweetheart” deal Apple is reported to have secured with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC).
According to a report by tech news website The Information, the deal means the US tech giant gets the newest and fastest chips a year ahead of competitors.
In turn, it means the iPhone 15, rumored for a September launch, could have a more powerful chip than any Samsung, Google or Huawei phone, according to the August 7 report. The same could apply to any new computer or tablet Apple can launch in the coming year.
Although the terms of the Apple-TSMC tie-up have not been publicized, they appear to date to 2014 and involve the Taiwanese company operating as Apple’s sole chip supplier and, due to Apple’s placing of huge advance and exclusive orders, effectively footing the bill for defects that show up in new chips.
The news comes after years of Apple making strides in performance, with its power-saving M1 processor in 2020 helping it to break away from chip supplier Intel in the entry-level segment.
Switching Mac computers from Intel processors to chips developed in-house allowed the company to benefit from a common technical basis in its devices, from iPhone to iPad to Mac, with notably faster performance in complex software. – dpa
The next iPhone is expected to surpass its competition in terms of processor performance, thanks to a special arrangement Apple has made with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC). Tech news website, The Information, reported that the deal allows Apple to obtain the newest and fastest chips a year before its competitors. As a result, it is anticipated that the iPhone 15, which is rumored to launch in September, will feature a more powerful chip compared to any Samsung, Google, or Huawei phone. This advantage may extend to any future Apple computer or tablet released within the next year.
While the specific terms of the Apple-TSMC partnership have not been disclosed, it is believed that the agreement was established in 2014. Under this arrangement, TSMC acts as the exclusive chip supplier for Apple and assumes responsibility for any defects found in the new chips, as Apple places significant advance and exclusive orders.
This development comes after Apple’s consistent efforts to enhance its device performance. In 2020, the company introduced the power-saving M1 processor, which allowed it to move away from relying on Intel as its chip supplier for entry-level Mac computers. This shift to in-house developed chips enabled Apple to streamline its technical foundation across its devices, leading to significantly faster performance in complex software.
Overall, Apple’s partnership with TSMC is expected to give the company a substantial advantage in processor performance. By securing early access to the latest and most advanced chips, Apple can maintain its position as a leading innovator in the smartphone and computing industry.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
