Skip to main content

Synaptics reaches $475 million buyout deal with iPhone display chip manufacturer

1-2-2012synapticspr

Synaptics Inc. has reached a deal to buy iPhone display chip maker Renesas after talks on a potential deal between Renesas and Apple fell through, Reuters reports. Synaptics is a former Apple supplier, but now provides parts for competitor Samsung’s flagship smartphones.

Analysts predict that Synaptics will integrate its own touchscreen technology with the display chips created by Renesas to cut manufacturing costs and create an all-in-one solution that is currently unrivaled in the market.

That could be good news for Apple, who will presumably continuing sourcing its iPhone display chips from Renesas after the deal is finalized. While it would likely have been a better deal for Apple to simply acquire Renesas and do everything in-house, Synaptics is now in a solid position to regain Cupertino’s business.

Synaptics has recently been toying with the technology to put a Touch ID-like sensor directly behind smartphone displays, eliminating the need for a dedicated sensor in the home button. Should the company manage to get back into business with Apple, that technology could eventually make its way into a future iPhone model.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. grnbills - 10 years ago

    With the new iPhone 6 and iPad Air 2 coming out I better sell my old iPhone and iPad before the value of it drops. I usually search 11-16 different sites to find the best offer, but I just found this site that compares all the buyback companies in one spot. it’s called http://www.recomhub.com It’s like Kayak but for Apple Devices that show you all the offers in one spot. I’ve used it before and loved it. I highly suggest it to other Apple lovers