Samsung is going to produce Qualcomm’s next-generation mobile chip, according to a new report.
Re/Code claims sources familiar with Qualcomm and Samsung operations revealed the companies were teaming up on the Snapdragon 820 chipset.
Qualcomm has already proffered some details on the Snapdragon 820 chip, although this is the first we’ve heard of Samsung handling production.
The US chipmaker has typically made use of chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) for its Snapdragon series.
The report claims the main reason for the manufacturer switch is due to Samsung’s distinct production advantage over TSMC.
Samsung currently uses a 14nm FinFET manufacturing process to build its mobile chips, while TSMC uses a less efficient 20nm process.
This thinner wiring means chips can be smaller and less expensive to produce, as well as improving battery performance.
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We also shouldn’t forget that Samsung snubbed Qualcomm in favour of its own chips for the recent flagship Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge handsets.
If Qualcomm can get Samsung back on side for future handsets – the Galaxy Note 5, perhaps – then it should help recoup losses from the earlier falling-out.
The Snapdragon 820 is set to begin sampling to manufacturers in the second half of this year, which means we’ll likely see it first in the beginning months of 2016.
It’s looking good for Samsung’s semiconductor business then, as the company has also recently been rumoured to be producing the A9 chips for Apple’s next flagship device.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.