# Episode 20: Apple's Silicon Strategy

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2023-05-29
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 21
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/fa07c03e

## Summary

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Apple's strategy of designing its own System-on-Chips (SoCs) to achieve performance-per-watt advantages and control over the product roadmap. They analyze Apple's intense leverage over suppliers like TSMC and Broadcom, noting how Apple funds manufacturing and extracts technical knowledge to drive efficiency. The hosts also explore the limits of Apple's silicon ambitions, particularly regarding the difficulty of designing modems and RF components, and speculate on the custom chips required for upcoming Apple Vision Pro glasses.

## Chapters

- [1:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=72) Apple's SoC Philosophy and Performance Goals
- [4:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=297) Supply Chain Constraints and TSMC Relationship
- [11:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=689) Leveraging Suppliers and Extracting R&D
- [18:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=1087) Strategic Advantage of Vertical Integration
- [21:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=1261) The Limits of Apple Silicon: Modems and RF
- [32:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy#t=1956) Future Speculation: Apple Vision Pro Chips

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Apple (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- M3 (product)
- Apple Vision Pro (product)
- iPhone (product)
- MacBook (product)
- Apple Watch (product)
- AirPods (product)
- PA Semi (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Skyworks (company)
- MediaTek (company)
- Foxconn (company)
- ASML (company)
- Dell (company)
- HP (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Oppo (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [We're Sorry! But Apple Ain't! - Remorseless RAM Racketeering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-09-were-sorry-but-apple-aint-remorseless-ram-racketeering) (The Amp Hour)
- [The RP1 and beyond with the Raspberry Pi Hardware team](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-10-23-the-rp1-and-beyond-with-the-raspberry-pi-hardware-team) (The Amp Hour)
- [Microfichery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-04-09-microfichery) (The Amp Hour)
- [How Much is Enough for Hyperscale Companies?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-07-26-how-much-is-enough-for-hyperscale-companies) (EE Times Current)
- [Two Dads Puzzlin Things Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-04-17-two-dads-puzzlin-things-out) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-05-29-episode-20-apples-silicon-strategy. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Circuit.