Samsung si TSMC are the main manufacturers of A9 chips for iPhone 6S si 6S iPhone Plus, and the company Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), tries to get the best possible prices for the new component of its terminals.
In this idea, Apple requested from Samsung and TSMC a reduction in the production prices of the A9 chips produced using a manufacturing process of 14nm FinFET, and the Koreans seem to be willing to produce at a lower price, while TSMC does not want to lower its prices.
Most of TSMC's production capacity for 14nm FinFET chips was created specifically for Apple, specifically for the A9X chip, and if those from Cupertino will decide to reduce component orders by up to a third, then the Taiwanese have a big problem.
Last year TSMC was chosen as the main manufacturer of A8 and A8X chips for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and this year it is speculated that it could have the lead for the production of A9 and A9X chips, but it seems that Apple is trying to take advantage of its position to get good prices.
Apple is requesting price cuts from its A9 chip suppliers Samsung Electronics and TSMC. Samsung has agreed to offer price discounts, and will even provide Apple with almost-free backend services for the A9 chips. TSMC is inclined to refuse to drop prices which could result in a cutback in A9 chip orders, the sources noted.
Although the Apple company has been trying for years to get rid of its dependence on Samsung in terms of manufacturing chips for iDevices, things will not change in 2015, Apple is looking for the manufacturer that offers the best prices for components .
Having said that, Samsung could become in 2015 the main manufacturer of A9 and A9X chips for iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPad tablets since it is the only one of the two partners willing to offer price reductions for production.
