The graphics chips in Apple’s current iPhones are produced by Imagination Technologies and now it looks like Apple may be working on their own graphics chips for future versions of the iPhones.
Imagination Technologies has released a press release stating that Apple will no longer be licensing its technology for its iPhone in under the next two years.
Apple has used the companies PowerVR graphics processors in its iPhone for some time and the company has asked Apple to provide details of what it will be using in its iPhones in the future, Apple has declined to provide this.
Imagination Technologies have said that they are skeptical that Apple could come up with their own graphics chips for the iPhone that does not infringe on their patents, you can see a statement from the company below.
Apple has used Imagination’s technology and intellectual property for many years. It has formed the basis of Graphics Processor Units (“GPUs”) in Apple’s phones, tablets, iPods, TVs and watches. Apple has asserted that it has been working on a separate, independent graphics design in order to control its products and will be reducing its future reliance on Imagination’s technology.
Apple has not presented any evidence to substantiate its assertion that it will no longer require Imagination’s technology, without violating Imagination’s patents, intellectual property and confidential information. This evidence has been requested by Imagination but Apple has declined to provide it.
Apple actually owns 8 percent of Imagination Technologies and the two companies had previously been in talks about an acquisition, although this did not go ahead.
You can see the full statement from Imagination Technologies at the link below. So it looks like Apple is either developing their own graphics chip or its could have even found an alternative supplier.
Source Imagination Technologies, The Verge