Samsung Starts Manufacturing Apple's A9 Chip for 2015 iOS Devices

Manufacturing of Apple's A9 processor is reportedly underway in Samsung's Austin, Texas plant, according to Korea's ET News (via The Verge). Samsung is believed to be handling the bulk of the orders for the A9 using its 14-nanometer chip process, with rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) contributing a supplementary supply.

tsmc_samsung_logo
Samsung and TSMC have been competing for Apple's lucrative A9 processor contract after Apple in 2013 signed a multi-year deal with Taiwan's TSMC to supply A-series processors for Apple's iOS devices. TSMC took lead on the A8 chip, fabricating the SoC for both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. The Taiwanese company also reportedly landed the contract to produce Apple's A8X chip, which is found in the new iPad Air 2.

Samsung semiconductor head Kim Ki-nam last month confirmed the company would begin producing 14-nanometer processors for Apple in a supply chain deal that will have a positive impact on Samsung's profits. A report from last year suggestsed TSMC would replace Samsung as Apple's lead chip supplier, but Samsung's technological progress with its 14-nanometer process may have swung the pendulum back in its favor.

Tag: ETNews

Popular Stories

airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday January 18, 2026 3:51 pm PST by
iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update. The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models

Sunday January 18, 2026 6:50 pm PST by
MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States. A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year

Wednesday January 21, 2026 10:54 am PST by
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses. Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product. Smart Home Hub Apple home hub (concept) Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...

Top Rated Comments

MartinAppleGuy Avatar
145 months ago
Of course Apple needs Samsung. Apple knows where Superiority is located :)

Apple need Samsung and Samsung need Apple. Apple needs a manufacturer for components, and Samsung need "inspiration" :P

Such an awkward relationship ;)
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
145 months ago
The A-series of chips don't get enough recognition IMO.

They are incredible to say the least. Bespoke, super fast, tiny and get consistently better with each iteration, rivalling and often out-performing even the most experienced players in the mobile processor market seemingly with ease.

They are the core of Apple's most successful product lines and deservedly so, too. Congratulations to Apple and all those involved for such a truly innovative technological marvel. :apple:
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JeffyTheQuik Avatar
145 months ago
I'm looking forward to Fairchild building the A10...

Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
prowlmedia Avatar
145 months ago
Of course Apple needs Samsung. Apple knows where Superiority is located :)
Clearly not in your schooling. Do you guys actually come on here to bitch about Apple and expect us to care? Or are you paid by the post as you do make a lot of Anti-Apple - pro Samsung posts. You ain't fooling anyone.

Actually I am not feeding you... go away.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0928001 Avatar
145 months ago
Of course Apple needs Samsung. Apple knows where Superiority is located :)

Yep, their sales show how superior they are.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Demon Hunter Avatar
145 months ago
The A-series of chips don't get enough recognition IMO.

They are incredible to say the least. Bespoke, super fast, tiny and get consistently better with each iteration, rivalling and often out-performing even the most experienced players in the mobile processor market seemingly with ease.

They are the core of Apple's most successful product lines and deservedly so, too. Congratulations to Apple and all those involved for such a truly innovative technological marvel. :apple:

Well said!

Many forget the hot and cold years of the G3, G4, and G5 which saw Apple arrive at the bleeding edge only to fall back into obsolescence. Not a few forum members will recall the liquid-cooled PowerBook G5. ;)

To see them lead the entire industry, year after year, with custom silicon is a sight to behold.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)