Apple May Bring Intel Back as a Chip Manufacturing Partner for Future iPhones and Macs

Highlights

• Apple may reintroduce Intel as a manufacturing partner.
• It will reportedly start with low-end M-series chips in 2027 and potentially non-Pro iPhone chips in 2028.
• Intel’s 18A and 14A nodes will be used, giving Apple geographic flexibility and reducing reliance on TSMC’s Taiwan-based facilities.

Caption – Apple-Intel partnership for Apple’s lower-end M-series chips. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple may once again rely on Intel for its hardware. But this time, not for chip design. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Intel is expected to begin manufacturing Apple’s lower-end M-series chips for Macs and iPads starting around 2027. Analyst Jeff Pu has added more detail in a new research note, stating that Intel could also produce Apple’s non-Pro iPhone chips beginning in 2028.

Int@el To Begin Manufacturing Apple Chip

Analyst Kuo claims Intel’s 18A process will be used for the first Intel-made M-series chip. Meanwhile, Pu’s report builds on that timeline by saying Intel’s upcoming 14A process will likely be used a year later to produce base-level iPhone chips.

Right now, Apple depends entirely on Taiwan’s TSMC to manufacture all A-series and M-series chips. Apple handles the design, while TSMC takes care of fabrication.

From M-Series to A-Series – Intel’s Possible Roadmap

Jeff Pu’s research (via GF Securities and reported by MacRumors) suggests Intel’s 14A process could be used for a future A22 chip. Currently, Apple’s standard iPhone 17 uses the base A19 chip, a chip Apple also plans to bring to the iPhone 17e. The A19 Pro remains exclusive to premium models and would likely stay with TSMC even if Intel becomes a secondary supplier.

This renewed partnership is very different from the old Intel Mac era. Previously, Intel designed and manufactured the x86 processors that powered Apple’s computers. In the new arrangement, Apple continues to design its own silicon while Intel produces a portion of the chips. TSMC remains the primary producer, especially for high-end Pro chips.

Apple will still retain full control over silicon design, performance goals, and model-level chip allocation. TSMC is expected to remain the exclusive partner for Pro-grade chips, while Intel could support standard and “e” series iPhones going forward.

This potential shift marks a quiet but significant reset in Apple and Intel’s relationship, no visible branding, no co-developed processors, but a major behind-the-scenes move that could reshape how Apple builds future Macs, iPads and eventually iPhones.

Bringing Intel into the supply chain gives Apple more geographic and logistical flexibility. Intel’s 18A and 14A nodes are key to its ambitions as a contract foundry, and securing Apple as a customer would significantly boost that effort. For Apple, using Intel’s North American manufacturing facilities reduces dependency on a single region and provides more room to manage supply-chain risks.

According to Kuo, Intel will start by making low-end M-series chips for Macs and iPads in mid-2027. This early phase will allow Apple to evaluate Intel’s manufacturing quality before expanding any major portion of iPhone production. If all goes well, Intel could then take on part of the A-series chip output in 2028.

FAQs

Q1. What role will Intel play in Apple’s future chip plans?

Answer. Intel is expected to manufacture Apple’s lower-end M-series chips for Macs and iPads starting in 2027, and potentially non-Pro iPhone chips from 2028.

Q2. Which Intel processes will be used for Apple chips?

Answer. The 18A process will be used for the first M-series chips, while the 14A process could later produce base-level iPhone chips.

Q3. Will Intel replace TSMC as Apple’s main chip supplier?

Answer. No. TSMC remains the primary producer, especially for Pro-grade chips, while Intel will support standard and “e” series devices to give Apple more supply-chain flexibility.

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