Apple Tests Intel 18A-P Chips in 2026 as TSMC Keeps 90% of High-End Supply
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · May 15
Apple Tests Intel 18A-P Chips in 2026 as TSMC Keeps 90% of High-End Supply
16 articles · Updated · Computerworld · May 15
Small-scale testing of Intel’s 18A-P process is planned for 2026 as Apple evaluates Intel for future processor supply, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo pointing to a production ramp in 2027.
Tim Cook said shortages of high-end nodes are already constraining sales, especially Macs, even as Apple’s expanding product lineup and strong MacBook Neo demand lift chip needs.
TSMC would still make about 90% of Apple’s most powerful chips, leaving Intel positioned mainly for older designs used in entry-level iPhones, iPads and Macs.
For Intel, even roughly 10% of Apple’s processor demand would provide a meaningful revenue boost and support U.S. efforts to build domestic advanced chip manufacturing capacity.
With Apple tapping Intel for US-made chips, will the next generation of iPhones and Macs cost more?
Can Intel's US-based comeback truly challenge TSMC's dominance, or is this just Apple's strategic leverage play?
Apple Taps Intel for Chip Manufacturing: Supply Chain Diversification Amid Geopolitical and Industry Pressures
Overview
Apple is making a major change in its chip supply chain by starting small-scale production of low-end and legacy processors at Intel, marking Intel’s first Apple chip production in nearly a decade. This move uses Intel’s advanced 18A-P process and Foveros packaging for chips that will go into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Testing begins in 2026, with production ramping up through 2027 and growing further in 2028 before a projected decline in 2029. This partnership helps Apple diversify its suppliers, reduce risks from relying on a single source, and leverage Intel’s manufacturing strengths for future resilience.