TSMC has reportedly begun shipping Apple 20nm chips in volume, setting the stage for an introduction and launch later this year. The iPhone 6 will be the first 20nm SoC on the market — will Apple use that advantage to extend its lead over its rivals? http://www.peepstalks.com/tsmc-is-finally-making-20nm-parts-for-apples-next-gen-iphone-ipad/
Via Peeps Talks
Exactly how much of Apple’s business is shifting to TSMC is still unknown. The A8 will be the first 20nm SoC available on the market; companies like Qualcomm aren’t expected to introduce their own 20nm hardware until 2015. That gap gives Apple first-mover momentum and it’s undoubtedly part of what the company paid for in its agreements with TSMC. It’s possible that this shift could spark other companies to move production to other facilities — companies that compete with Apple at TSMC could conceivably move business to Samsung or GlobalFoundries if they think the Taiwanese foundry won’t be able to keep up with demand.