Samsung進度落後，TSMC在Apple的20nm處理器訂單上或拔得頭籌。

Samsung has been having some yield issues with parts made using the latest, 20-nanometer chip manufacturing process. Per our most recent checks on the Apple production levels at both Austin and Korean facilities indicate no changes in their output since our last update. The 28nm production remains steady while the 32nm production remains on plan to decline 30% sequentially this quarter. As for the 20nm production ramp plans, there continues to be a delay in the roll-out. We reported in our January 16th Apple Update that the Samsung Austin facility delayed the initial ramp plans last month due to minor process tweaks before releasing the designs for mass production, but our latest checks indicate that they are experiencing some significant die yielding issues and have put the production plans on a temporary hold. The delay clearly gives TSMC an advantageous position to gain market share with Apple since their 20nm production ramp is already in progress.
- John Donovan and Steve Mullane of BlueFin Research Partners

綜上，已有人喊出：

『這樣的狀況也意味，在三星產能遲遲出不來的情況下，台積將有更大機會獨吃A8處理器訂單。蘋果是否將回頭把20奈米訂單轉回台積，甚至考慮將下一世代的A9處理器也委由台積代工，看來局勢對台積似乎更為有利。』

『若三星20奈米及14奈米進度遞延，台積電不僅將是蘋果20奈米A8處理器最主要代工廠，明年也有可能是蘋果16奈米A9處理器的獨家代工夥伴。』

『依據最近取得的消息來看，三星被迫放棄的可能不僅僅是部分A8的訂單而已，可能是全部A8處理器都要交由台積電生產了。蘋果打算將A7全部交由三星以28nm的製程生產，台積電幫蘋果生產的處理器將是A8，而不是傳言中的A7，也就是台積電不會進行20nm製程A7處理器的生產。』





戰果預測已達明年的16nm與14nm之爭，然市調機構IC Insights卻出驚人之語，黑馬將出？

While TSMC and GlobalFoundries are expected to receive a portion of the Apple business at the 14nm process node, IC Insights believes that Intel finds itself in an enviable position of being able to secure a large portion of Apple’s application processor business at the 10nm node using Fab 42. IC Insights believes that Intel is approximately one year ahead of both Samsung and TSMC in IC process technology, an advantage that Apple could parlay into a significant performance advantage in both the tablet PC and smartphone markets. A nice PR benefit for Apple. If Apple uses Intel’s Fab 42 for production of processors, Apple would gain recognition as having its processors manufactured by a U.S. company on U.S. soil using process technology that is 6-12 months ahead of anything else used in the industry.



Glofo跟Intel要出運了嗎？