Apple to Acquire Japan's Renesas SP Drivers Soon - Rumor

The company from Cupertino may soon acquire Renesas SP Drivers, a unit of Japan's Renesas Electronics that manufactures chips for smartphone displays. Such chips are designed specifically for small or mid-size screens; they’re capable of detecting a display's performance, energy efficiency and a number of other parameters. Renesas SP is currently one of the Apple’s suppliers.

As noted by Nikkey Asian Review,

Apple is in talks with Japan's Renesas Electronics to take over a unit that designs chips for smartphone displays, whose engineering may help it improve image sharpness and battery life.

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Apple is said to be seeking Renesas' entire 55% stake for an estimated 50 billion yen ($479 million).

Apart from Renesas Electronics, such companies as Sharp and Powerchip own Renesas SP stake. Sharp can possibly sell its share to Apple in case it acquires Renesas SP.