Chip production points to iPhone 6 launch
According to TechRadar contributor Kevin Lee, recent rumors suggest that the iPhone 6 could be released as early as June. It is believed that Apple reached an agreement with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to handle wafer bumping and foundry orders for the A8 – a next-generation mobile processor reported to be the component of choice for the iPhone 6. Industry observers expect TSMC to increase production of these processors by the time the second quarter of 2014 rolls around. That time frame hints at a possible June launch date for the next iPhone.
Mobile chip manufacturer files multimillion dollar IPO
The continued growth of the mobile market has led to success for other chip makers as well. The Pacific Coast Business Times reported that California-based manufacturer Resonant recently filed for an initial public offering potentially valued at $13.8 million. The company also announced that it established a development agreement with a key supplier of processing chips for the iPhone. Resonant’s main product is its duplexer component, which determines which frequencies are used to send and receive signals. The company’s duplexer is unique in that it can be configured to manage a wider spectrum of frequencies, leading to reduced production costs.
Samsung weathers losses with robust chip production
The rivalry between Samsung and Apple in the mobile market has been well-documented. Despite the competitors’ battles over sales and copyrights, the two companies have a symbiotic relationship. As a supplier of the application processor in Apple’s iPhone 5S, Samsung profits from every unit sold. With its hardware featured in numerous smartphones and tablets across the globe, Samsung will likely continue to succeed as long as the mobile market remains healthy. This is good news for investors since the company recently reported sluggish growth and revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013. According to The New York Times, however, Samsung officials remain optimistic about the future, even as the company’s place atop the mobile hardware market may face increasing challenges in the coming years. The news outlet reported that Samsung’s semiconductor division accounted for nearly a quarter of its operating profit in the fourth quarter, increasing from just 16% during the same period in the previous year.
Global chip mounters market on the rise
A vital component to numerous tech applications, the chip mounting industry has witnessed an increase in demand over the years, and the trend does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. According to a recent Research and Markets report, the global chip mounters market is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7 percent through the end of 2016. A primary driving force behind this trend is the widespread proliferation of mobile devices, creating new opportunities for chip mounters to lend their services. Researchers observed demand particularly rising in the Asia Pacific region, where robust economic growth has led to healthy mobile adoption rates.
