The sole company responsible for manufacturing the processor in Apple's upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus has reduced its shipping estimates after its facilities were damaged in an earthquake (via DigiTimes).

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) suffered the damage to its plants on February 6 when a 6.4-magnitude quake struck the southern part of the country.

Initially, TSMC reported that the damage incurred would reduce the amount of chips it could ship by less than 1 percent. However, this morning the company revised that estimate and said shipment numbers could be affected over the 1 percent mark, but stopped short of giving a specific number.

iphone_7_render_mr

Mockup of iPhone 7 case showing flush rear camera and no antenna bands across rear

Despite the earthquake, TSMC stated it is confident of hitting target revenues of $5.9-6.0 billion in the first quarter of 2016. Whether the damage will affect production of the iPhone 7 chip, which is expected to begin in June, remains unclear.

TSMC reached a deal with Apple only last week to become the sole manufacturer for the iPhone 7's processor, partly thanks to its 10-nanometer manufacturing process. Apple used both Samsung and TSMC to manufacture the chips for the iPhone 6s, perhaps in a bid to lower risks, but the arrangement caused some controversy after benchmarks indicated performance variances between the companies' processors.

The processor in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is likely called the A10. Both devices are expected to debut in September. Leaks of the phones' design suggest that it may have a flush rear camera and a lack of antenna bands on its back. Other rumors indicate that the 7 Plus may feature a dual-lens camera system and that it may be waterproof and not have a headphone jack.

Tags: TSMC, A10
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

businezguy Avatar
95 months ago
This is the risk of using one manufacturer. If something goes wrong to effect supply, cutting Samsung out will not seem like such a smart move.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macs4nw Avatar
95 months ago
Earthquakes have a thing for delaying iPhones.
I realize you're probably saying that in jest, but it's just that a lot of the manufacturing of the components that go into our tech goodies, takes place near the "Ring of Fire ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Fire')" where roughly 90% of the world's earthquakes occur, often also accompanied by tsunamis and massive flooding. Remember the massive flooding in Thailand ('http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/07/business/global/07iht-floods07.html') which caused widespread HDD shortages in 2011-2012?

Those of us who don't live near there can count their blessings, and I for one will gladly suffer some occasional delays to my material indulgences as I watch untold human suffering on the news from the safety of my living room, when another disaster hits those unfortunate people.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
95 months ago
This 1% estimate was before. Now the estimate is bigger and they aren't saying by how big.
They said it was going to impact them by less than 1%. Later, they said it might be over 1%.

Might be over 1% suggests to me it's probably not a lot more than 1%.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lennholm Avatar
95 months ago
So Apple's first step towards getting rid of Samsung as an essential supplier backfires immediately, interesting.

They said it was going to impact them by less than 1%. Later, they said it might be over 1%.

Might be over 1% suggests to me it's probably not a lot more than 1%.
Or, it's just carefully worded to smooth over the more serious reality, like how all Apple Support articles regarding widespread hardware issues begin with "We've discovered that a very small number of units are experiencing issues with..."
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleWarMachine Avatar
95 months ago
you know Samsung is going to make some chips for Apple eventually, they always coming calling for some reason...can't live without them :D
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glideslope Avatar
95 months ago
With smart phone growth flattening out this might not have a major impact.
True. It will be interesting to see the volume of 5se's moved. IMO, the "rumored" 30% cut in the 6s is to allow for upcoming tidel wave of demand for the 5se.
Will this effect the 7? It will be interesting to watch. The 7 will need to be very compelling IMO (even though I'll be selling my 6 for one no matter what.) :apple:
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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