(Telecompaper) Apple is in talks with Japanese semiconductor group Renesas Electronics to acquire a unit that designs chips for smartphone displays. Renesas SP Drivers is a joint venture with Sharp and Taiwanese company Powerchip. Apple is reportedly interested in buying Renesas' entire 55 percent stake in the JV for an estimated JPY 50 billion, the Nikkei reports. Sharp owns 25 percent in the joint venture and is also prepared to sell its shares in Renesas SP Drivers to Apple, should the company approach it after buying Renesas' stake.