Could the company that Apple once left behind become its manufacturing partner again? That’s the picture emerging from multiple analyst notes this week: Apple would still design its own silicon, but Intel might begin fabricating some lower-end M‑series chips in 2027 and certain non‑Pro iPhone SoCs by 2028.
The headlines, boiled down
Analysts including Jeff Pu of GF Securities and Ming‑Chi Kuo have reiterated a two‑phase timeline. Intel’s revived foundry efforts — notably its 18A and upcoming 14A process nodes — look capable of handling volume production for Apple’s less performance‑sensitive chips. Kuo has suggested Intel could start shipping entry‑level M chips as early as mid‑2027; Pu expects Intel to be in a position to supply non‑Pro iPhone chips (using a 14A-class process) around 2028.
Those dates line up with what we’ve heard about Intel ramping advanced nodes and Apple looking to reduce single‑supplier risk for wafer production. Crucially: Apple still designs the silicon. Intel would be the fabricator, not the designer. This would not be a return to Intel CPUs in Macs — it’s a return to Intel as a foundry partner.
Why Apple might want Intel on the roster
TSMC has been Apple’s manufacturing backbone for years, but the industry has changed. AI accelerator demand — especially from heavyweights like Nvidia — has crowded TSMC’s most advanced lines and lifted prices and allocation pressure. That squeeze makes diversifying wafer sources sensible.
There are also geopolitical and policy angles. Producing parts at U.S. fabs looks better politically and aligns with efforts to shore up domestic supply chains. Working with Intel lets Apple spread production across suppliers and geographies without surrendering design control.
Intel’s foundry comeback isn’t theoretical. The company’s 18A effort reached production targets in 2025, and the roadmap for 14A (a 1.4nm‑class node) promises competitive power and density characteristics that could satisfy Apple’s low‑to‑mid range product requirements.
What Intel would actually make for Apple
Industry chatter suggests a conservative start: entry‑level M chips for some iPad and MacBook Air‑class devices, then a measured expansion into high‑volume iPhone non‑Pro SoCs. Apple tends to shield its flagship, Pro‑level silicon from any first‑wave partner changes; expect TSMC to remain the go‑to for Pro, Max and Ultra class parts.
Using Intel for lower‑power M chips would let Apple validate Intel’s process at meaningful volumes without risking premium product performance. That same risk‑mitigated approach would apply to the iPhone side: Intel could handle certain A‑series derivatives for non‑Pro models while Apple keeps high‑end iPhone chips on TSMC.
If you’re tracking hardware releases, this matters for rumored lower‑cost Mac models and iPads. There’s already chatter about a budget MacBook program — a partnership like this could be how Apple manages costs while maintaining its silicon roadmap (see the rumors around the rumored budget MacBook).
How this could change the industry (and your upgrade calculus)
For Apple: more negotiating leverage and resilience. Having another advanced foundry reduces the risk of capacity shortfalls and gives Apple optionality if TSMC’s capacity tightens further.
For Intel: landing Apple as a foundry customer would be a huge validation of its multi‑billion‑dollar pivot back to manufacturing excellence. More foundry customers would fund further node development and raise Intel’s competitive profile versus TSMC and Samsung.
For TSMC: increased competition is rarely comfortable, but it could accelerate capacity planning and pricing discussions across the industry.
For consumers: probably subtle, gradual effects. You’re unlikely to see dramatic performance drops in entry‑level devices — Apple designs the chips and sets silicon targets. The more immediate consumer benefit could be steadier supply and fewer price shocks for baseline Macs and iPads. If you’re shopping for machines now, deals on things like the MacBook Air sometimes pop up as Apple reshuffles inventory and models.
A note about Apple’s broader strategy
This potential tie‑up is consistent with Apple’s push to blend hardware control with supply‑chain flexibility. The company’s software and AI ambitions (including moves to upgrade Siri and integrate generative models) mean it needs predictable hardware capacity to match feature roadmaps — another reason to keep multiple manufacturing options available. For context on Apple’s software and AI direction, observers point to its work on a custom Gemini model for Siri.
What to watch next
Look for official NDAs and PDK exchanges to show forward progress — Apple and Intel reportedly have already shared design kits internally in preliminary stages. The clearest signals will be supplier confirmations, wafer allocations in public filings, or product teardowns that reveal Intel‑fabbed package markings.
In short: this isn’t a romantic rewind to the early 2010s. It’s a pragmatic, modern play: Apple keeps designing, Intel focuses on fabrication, and the rest of the industry watches to see whether a second major foundry for Apple becomes permanent.