Samsung has reportedly initiated a large-scale inspection into contract chip business, System LSI, that ran into a $820 million loss during 2014. This unit manufactures mobile application processors, images sensors for cameras, and TV displays.
According to a report from The Herald Business, Samsung's inspection aims to have a close look at the division's spendings and investments over the past six to seven years. However, a company official was quoted saying that such inspections are carried out regularly.
This division grew rapidly since 2007 after securing supply deals from Apple, but its revenues fell sharply when Apple decided to shift its orders to TSMC in 2012 following disputes with Samsung. As a result, its revenue fell to 9 trillion won in 2013 from 13 trillion won in 2014.
System LSI has since made a great progress in terms of technology and started manufacturing second generation of its 14nm FinFET process, and it is manufacturing Apple's A9 chipsets that are used in the current generation iPhones, the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus.
