Apple Shuns Samsung: Shifts ARM Chip Supplies to Unimicron

The tussle between Apple and Samsung has changed the dealings between the two companies in more ways than one. China Times has reported that Apple is moving the contract for flip-chip chip scale package from Samsung's SEMCO for ARM chips.

The new contract is to be made out to Unimicron Technology Corp. Unimicron Technology is a printed circuit-board manufacturer in Taiwan. This move from Apple clearly defines the company's reluctance to work together with Samsung.

Apple's own Ax chips are manufactured by using semiconductor units manufactured by Samsung. The hummingbird chip incorporated in Galaxy S is quite similar to Apple's A4 which confirms that Apple gets its chips from Samsung. However, relations between the two companies have been extremely strained ever since the legal battles between them began.

Many manufacturers including Apple are very much dependent on Samsung for several components including flash storage and RAM units.

Most of the components in devices from Apple have been supplied by Samsung. However, due to the changes relationship of the two companies, Apple will not be willing to work with Samsung on any grounds.

As a result, Apple has started distributing contracts to smaller as well as not-so-well -known manufacturers, Unimicron Technology being one of these companies.

It is also reported that the iPhones manufacturer is moving the production of its Ax chips to TSMC in Taiwan. It is said that most of Apple's Ax chips are currently being made at a facility of Samsung located in the US. With Apple moving most of these manufacturing to other makers, Samsung might soon feel the blow of losing such a client.