4 ms·
Apple would take a hit in that case, but so would everybody else who use TSMC. Intel wouldn't be hit, but they also don't make ARM chips. Apple makes a premium
by tomjen3 5y ago
Apple would take a hit in that case, but so would everybody else who use TSMC. Intel wouldn't be hit, but they also don't make ARM chips.
Apple makes a premium product, which means that they can outcompete others, especially Android, for the remaining chips.
Even in the event that there is no new iPhone for the year they will still make money on their services, and a lack of iPhone will not make it less desirable. Other smartphone makers won't be able to stay in business.
- The_Colonel 5y agoAndroid phone makers won't be as affected since midrange/lowend devices can use older manufacturing processes which are (relatively speaking) widely available. Apple needs the best to keep its edge and justify the premium.
- saurik 5y agoWell, most of (a while back it was "almost all of"... it might still be) the profit in Android is made by Samsung, which makes high-end devices that compete with the iPhone.
- tomjen3 5y agoThat is a good point, but I wonder: how many second-rate chips are available and how bad are they? Because if the top end is 3 nm and they need 10 nm, then I don't know if there are enough other places to get them.
- The_Colonel 5y agoI think Android phones aren't really CPU/GPU constrained anymore. I bought a cheap Realme phone (130 EUR) for a relative and the thing runs everything you throw at it fluidly, even pretty demanding games. (SOC is MediaTek G95 on 12nm).