Earlier iPhone 6 Release Date with Sufficient Supplies Remains On Course as TSMC, Samsung Ramp Up A8 Chip Production Activities – Report
The iPhone 6 release date will happen as scheduled by Apple and would-be buyers are assured of plentiful supplies as A8 chip manufacturers TSMC and Samsung have reportedly stepped up their respective production activities.
Taiwanese publication DigiTimes has reported this week that TSMC is right on track to deliver it's A8 processing chip shipment commitment with Apple despite the alleged delays on the contractor's 20nm wafer start.
TSMC has insisted that the problem was resolved quickly while noting that volume production of A8 chip was already in high gear at the start of 2014. The reported production glitch will not in any way affect the company's manufacturing and delivery calendar, said DigiTimes on its report.
It is understood too that TSMC's core production schedule for 2014 is centred on Apple's A8 processors, which is believed to power the iOS devices that will come out later this year, bannered by the large-screen iPhone 6.
The Taiwan-based company also vowed to further increase its 20nm output capacity, revealing at the same time that 20 per cent of its forecasted revenue for calendar year 2014 will be drawn from its existing Apple contracts.
TSMC issued the clarification as reports earlier this week emerged that it is grappling with serious yield issues, forcing the iPhone maker to again increase its A8 chip order from Samsung. In turn, the South Korean tech giant has confirmed that shipping the CPU needs of iOS devices this 2014 is a done deal.
While contradicting, the fresh development somehow supported previous assertions by analysts that Apple is likely to issue the next iPhone earlier than expected. And when the device is finally out, there would be enough supplies for everyone to grab.
Patently Apple has reported that for this year's iPhone thrust, Apple has instructed its premiere iPhone manufacturer, Foxconn, to assemble and deliver some 90 million units of iPhone 6, ensuring that distributors and retailers will get sufficient stocks.
This will solve the seemingly perennial problem that plagued all iPhone launches in the past - supply shortage that inevitably led to delayed deliveries and commercial availability.
On release date, the iPhone 6 is also rumoured to showcase a bigger 4.7-inch screen that is protected by an extra-strong sapphire glass coating, a virtually indestructible Liquidmetal casing and loads of killer spec upgrades stuffed with the new iOS 8 - all these likely obtainable between June and September 2014.