Apple is no longer the biggest client for chip foundry TSMC, and as it loses its stranglehold on the global supply chain, Tim Cook may have to turn to other manufacturers to meet demand for the iPhone and Mac.
Apple wouldn’t return to Intel-designed processors, but it could get Intel to manufacture its Apple Silicon designs
Apple wouldn’t return to Intel-designed processors, but it could get Intel to manufacture its Apple Silicon designs
As previously reported, Nvidia is now the single largest client for TSMC, but losing that top spot is causing problems for Apple. Specifically, it no longer has the buying power to commandeer TSMC’s entire output.
According to the Wall Street Journal, this means Apple is therefore having to compete for capacity with firms such as Nvidia, and it is not getting what it needs. Tim Cook alluded to this in Apple’s latest earnings call, dismissing questions about memory shortages by saying the company is more concerned with processors.