Intel Starts 18A-P Risk Production, Eyes Apple Deal After 9% Performance Gain
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
Intel Starts 18A-P Risk Production, Eyes Apple Deal After 9% Performance Gain
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 16
Summary
Intel said 18A-P has entered risk production, an early manufacturing stage for its most advanced node that could position the company to win outside foundry business.
18A-P delivers 9% higher performance or 18% lower power use than 18A, Intel said, while adding at least 20% better heat resistance and staying compatible with existing 18A buildouts.
Apple is seen as a key target, but analysts say Intel still needs to prove yields above 90% and show it can reliably manufacture Arm-based chips rather than its traditional x86 designs.
Intel has produced 18A at volume in Arizona since December and brought it to PC chips in January, yet it still lacks a major external customer for the process.
The push comes as TSMC expands its $165 billion Arizona campus nearby, though analysts say Intel may first break through in advanced packaging, where EMIB could benefit from CoWoS bottlenecks.
Is Intel's advanced packaging just a temporary fix for industry bottlenecks, or a true gateway to winning over TSMC's top clients?
Intel claims it's seeking major clients, yet it landed a $25B deal. What is the true state of its foundry business?
Apple and Intel’s 18A-P Deal: A New Era for U.S. Chip Manufacturing and Supply Chain Security
Overview
Apple and Intel have moved beyond initial talks to a preliminary chipmaking agreement, with Apple now evaluating Intel’s advanced 18A-P manufacturing process for its entry-level M-series chips. This marks a potential shift from Apple’s long-standing reliance on TSMC, as Apple becomes a key customer to test Intel’s leading-edge capabilities. The qualification process is crucial before any large-scale production, reflecting Apple’s high standards. This move is also influenced by US government efforts to encourage domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce dependence on Taiwan, signaling a significant change in the global chip supply chain.