‘Strong evidence’ is suggesting that “about 80” Apple engineers are working on developing their own custom power chips that are destined for use in iPhones “as early as 2019”. Teams have been assembled in Germany and the U.S., according to Bankhaus Lampe’s Karsten Iltgen who wrote a memo seen by Bloomberg, with Apple “poaching like crazy” to find the right engineers for the job.
Apple has often said they want to develop the core technologies that go into their products themselves to gain a competitive edge and considering that power management and battery life is one of the main complaints by iPhone users it would make sense for Apple to develop this technology themselves.
Via Reuters:
In our view, there is strong evidence that Apple is developing its own PMIC and intends to replace the chip made by Dialog at least in part,” Bankhaus Lampe analyst Karsten Iltgen advised investors. – A source familiar with the matter confirmed that Apple was recruiting top Dialog engineers in Munich. “They are poaching like crazy,” the person said.