Taiwan-based DigiTimes, which has a close relationship with the supply chain, said that in order to achieve the goal of A-series chips grabbing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Samsung is 'fully striving' to develop InFO (fan-out) packaging technology and claims to pass advanced EUV (extreme ultraviolet light) at the 7-nm node. Engraving) Technology has completely surpassed TSMC. However, for the time being, Apple currently favors TSMC's InFO technology. Therefore, the A12 chip OEM orders for the iPhone will be handed over to TSMC this year.
Samsung seems to be eager for orders for Apple's A-series chips. It is reported that Samsung even reduced the EUV order offer by 20%. Of course, this price reduction is also intended to attract ordering business from different companies, but may be 'reactive'. This is mainly because of the quality and productivity risks of the 7-nanometer process under EUV technology. After all, TSMC is still trying to solve this problem, but it is still struggling. At least before 5nm chips, TSMC is unlikely to completely use EUV. Integrated into the production line.
Although EUV technology is very attractive to any customer, including Gao Shuaifu Apple, in fact, Samsung's own risk of EUV technology has long been expected, because Samsung originally only planned to focus EUV technology on the Exynos of the Galaxy S10 mobile phone. chip.
Previously, TSMC had stated that its InFO technology is excellent in reducing chip package thickness, and it can also improve chip performance and energy efficiency. As a result, TSMC has won Apple's exclusive orders for the past two consecutive years. However, EUV is an advanced printing practice. The circuit technology, production is very difficult, due to various reasons it is quite complex, for example, for all substances can absorb EUV radiation and vacuum environment.
Samsung used to be the exclusive manufacturer of Apple's iPhone and iPad series A-series processors. However, as competition and legal disputes between the two companies continued to intensify, Apple began to switch to TSMC. If Apple continues to choose to re-send orders to Samsung. One of the reasons may be to lower the price of OEM orders.
However, there seem to be no permanent enemies on the market because Samsung still has Apple's order business. The iPhone X model's OLED display panel is exclusively owned by Samsung. However, currently Samsung is still the only one capable of meeting Apple's capacity demand. OLED panel makers, which are expected to release the new iPhone in 2018, will continue to be exclusively available from Samsung. It will be difficult to diversify OLED display suppliers by at least 2019.