New reports have put the spotlight on Apple’s relationship with Intel, years after Apple moved to internally developed M chips for its desktop and laptop computers. While the company had previously abandoned Intel processors, it now appears to be approaching a new deal with them, but on completely different terms.
According to circulated information, Intel will manufacture chips for Apple without any participation in the design stage. In effect, Apple is seeking to reduce its complete reliance on TSMC for manufacturing, and choosing Intel comes as a strategic move to achieve this diversification in the supply chain.
According to analyst Jeff Poe of GF Securities, he and his team expect a deal between Apple and Intel to start supplying a portion of the non-Pro A-series chips starting in 2028. Intel will manufacture a small percentage of the chips at first, while TSMC will remain the main supplier.
Earlier, Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Intel may start manufacturing lower-end M-series chips for Macs and iPads by mid-2027.
In this step, Apple will rely on Intel’s 18A manufacturing process, which is the first advanced sub-2nm manufacturing technology to be made available in North America.
