Apple May Entrust Intel with Manufacturing Its Processors

Apple is considering Intel as a potential manufacturer for its future M-series chips for some devices. Sources report that this concerns processors used in the most affordable MacBook Air laptops and iPad tablets. Production is not expected to begin before 2027, with Intel acting not as an architecture developer, but as a contract fab, similar to TSMC.

The primary candidate for production is said to be the promising Intel 18A-P process node. It is reported that Apple engineers are already evaluating the capabilities of this technology, and the decision will depend on the readiness of final design tools from Intel, which are expected in early 2026.

For Apple, such cooperation would be part of a strategy to diversify its supply chain. This would reduce dependence on a single manufacturer and could simplify logistics for the US market. Meanwhile, more powerful processors for professional device lineups are expected to remain on TSMC's production lines. For Intel, a contract with Apple would be a major success for its growing Intel Foundry division, demonstrating the competitiveness of its new manufacturing technologies for external customers.

Official comments from Apple and Intel on this matter have not yet been received. If the negotiations are successful, the first devices with chips manufactured by Intel could appear in the second half of 2027.

The development of Intel's next 14A process node, according to the company itself, is progressing faster than the early stages of 18A did. This accelerated progress could potentially open up new opportunities for Apple, allowing the company not only to diversify production but also to create even more energy-efficient chips for its devices in the future.