Samsung and TSMC Start Production of A9 Chips for Next-Gen iPhones

According to the latest report from usually-reliable DigiTimes reporters, Apple partners, Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, have recently started the mass production of the A-series chips for the upcoming iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which are expected to be officially released as soon as in September. In addition to the processors, TSMC will also supply Apple with fingerprint sensors and audio chips for the next-generation handsets, sources claim. The start of mass production of one of the most important iPhone component indicates that Apple plans to release new devices this fall, in accordance with the usual release schedule. It should be noted, however, that TSMC is currently not working at full capacity.

TSMC and Samsung Foundry, which share orders for Apple's A9 application processors, have both started volume production of the chips, according to industry sources.

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TSMC, with its 16nm FinFET process technology, will enter mass production of the A9 chips starting the fourth quarter of 2015, the sources indicated.

Apple is expected to ship as many as 50 million iPhone units by the end of this year. Most of the handsets will be reportedly sold during the holiday quarter.

[via DigiTimes]