Apple Cuts Samsung Orders: Lawsuits Impact?

Considering all the legal patent fights between Apple and Samsung, it would make sense that Apple would want to diversify away from Samsung.

Taking into account the very long lead time and tightening demand for chips, it will be very slow for Apple to separate.

More on the crosscurrents for DRAM and flash chips demand




Ron Maltiel
www.maltiel-consulting.com



Apple reportedly cuts order for Samsung chips for new iPhone
iPhone maker has reduced its order for NAND and DRAM chips from its courtroom foe, industry sources report
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57508009-37/apple-reportedly-cuts-order-for-samsung-chips-for-new-iphone/
by Steven Musil  September 6, 2012 9:47 PM PDT

Apple has cut its orders for memory chips from Samsung for its next-generation iPhone as it tries to reduce its dependence on its legal foe and competitor, according to industry sources.
Samsung has been a primary supplier of both DRAM and NAND storage for iPhones, iPads, and iPhones, but Apple has been reducing its orders to the South Korean electronics giant in an effort to diversify its supply lines, according to a Reuters report.

Meanwhile, the Korea Economic Daily reported that Apple had completely dropped Samsung from its list of memory chip suppliers for the first shipment of the new iPhones, choosing instead to go with Toshiba, Elpida Memory, and Korea's SK Hynix.

However, Reuters' source said Samsung remains on Apple's list of initial suppliers for the iPhone but is making up for the reduction with orders from other handset makers, notably Samsung's. The source also said the decision was unrelated to the recent courtroom clashes between the two tech titans.


Apple is said to be trying to reduce its dependence on Samsung, the world's largest consumer electronics maker by market value. Apple reportedly tried to secure exclusive access to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. smartphone chips by making a $1 billion investment in the chipmaker -- possibly in a bid to replace Samsung's contract for the A6 processor. TSMC reportedly rejected the offer, saying it had no need for investment capital and was unwilling to sell part of itself.