> They don't have to buy TSMC a fab
They don't have to, but buying production equipment for their manufacturing partners (in return for guaranteed pricing and production levels) is the norm at Tim Cook's Apple.
They don't have to, but buying production equipment for their manufacturing partners (in return for guaranteed pricing and production levels) is the norm at Tim Cook's Apple.
Apple dont buy production equipment for TSMC, or Samsung Foundry. Zero.
To add to the other examples given here, Apple actually owned the manufacturing equipment for the first generation retina panels, even though it was housed in factories owned and operated by Sharp.
Undoubtably that's why Apple gets such preferential treatment from TSMC and other suppliers.
There is a good chance Apple lent TSMC the money - although the actual transaction would probably not simply be lend at x%, but be designed to be taxation efficient for both parties which might involve other parties or securities.