With TSMC, Samsung Rumored To Begin A9 Chips, How Is Apple Affected?

In a report published Friday, JP Morgan analyst Rod Hall maintained an Overweight rating on

, after reported production commencement of A9 chips. Volume production of Apple's A9 application processors has been initiated by both

and Samsung Foundry. The mass production initiation follows the reworking of wafers by both the companies after Apple asked them to modify the mask patterns. "TSMC, with its 16nm FinFET process technology, will enter mass production of the A9 chips starting 4Q'2015. TSMC will also manufacture fingerprint sensors and audio chips on a contract basis for the upcoming iPhone devices at its 12-inch fabs. (Digitimes)," the JP Morgan report mentioned. Analyst Rod Hall believes that "the early build indications for the iPhone 6s are up about 5% on last year," while adding that it was too early to predict anything as "build order data tends to solidify through August as volume production ramps up for the typical September launch."