According to sources in the semiconductor industry, Samsung has obtained an order from STMicroelectronics to produce MCUs for Apple’s next-generation iPhone (tentatively referred to as the iPhone 14 series), using a 16nm process. This is the first time STMicroelectronics has outsourced MCU production from major customers such as Apple.
According to the Korea Economic Daily report, in the context of global supply shortages, MCUs are manufactured using a 16nm manufacturing process, which means that their specifications will be smaller and have higher power density than traditional MCUs. Samsung refused to confirm whether the order was received, and details such as the value of the order are currently unclear.
The report pointed out that this foundry order has triggered outside expectations that Samsung is expanding its influence in the foundry market dominated by TSMC, which controls 70% of MCU outsourcing production. These two companies are the two largest foundries in the world.
At the end of last month, Samsung officially announced plans to build a $17 billion chip manufacturing plant in Tyler, Texas, as part of a plan to surpass TSMC.