No more, according to the Korean Times. Apple reportedly did not use Samsung to help develop the A6 processor for the iPhone 5, instead using Samsung strictly as a foundry to manufacture the chips. A Samsung executive said:
Samsung’s agreement with Apple is limited to manufacturing the A6 processors. Apple did all the design and we are just producing the chips on a foundry basis.
One of Samsung’s to chip designers went to work for Apple last week, indicating that Apple likely plans to minimize even further its relationship with Samsung’s foundry.
Apple recently signed a deal with Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC to produce the next generation of A-series chips. Samsung is likely to continue to manufacture flash memory for Apple, but that business, too, could begin to dry up as Apple broadens its supply chain.
Neither Apple nor Samsung had any official comment on the report.
Apple’s shares are essentially flat at $629.99 shortly after noon today, in a 52-week range of $363.32 to $705.07.
Paul Ausick
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