Skip to main content

Reuters: Apple cutting back on Samsung components for iPhone 5, but not out of hate

Reuters: Apple cutting back on Samsung components for iPhone 5, but not out of hate

/

Reuters cites "a source with direct knowledge of the matter" today as saying that Samsung is seeing fewer orders for RAM and flash memory chips for the new iPhone, expected to be unveiled next Wednesday, as Apple tries to diversify its sourcing portfolio for critical components.

Share this story

Samsung logo (STOCK)
Samsung logo (STOCK)

Reuters cites "a source with direct knowledge of the matter" today as saying that Samsung is seeing fewer orders for RAM and flash memory chips for the new iPhone, expected to be unveiled next Wednesday, as Apple tries to diversify its sourcing portfolio for critical components. It's easy to assume that hard feelings over the epic patent battles between the two companies — both in the US and abroad — are to blame, but Reuters' source denies that suggestion, insisting that Apple had been looking to spread out its orders for some time. Presumably, Cupertino would prefer to hedge its bets as much as possible for a product expected to sell in the tens of millions.

Conveniently, Samsung's loss may also be its gain: the component needs of the Korean giant's own products are said to be making up for the downward trend in Apple orders, driven in no small part by the Galaxy S III, which recently broke 20 million sales.