Apple reaches preliminary chip manufacturing deal with Intel
Updated
Updated · The Information · May 8
Apple reaches preliminary chip manufacturing deal with Intel
15 articles · Updated · The Information · May 8
The agreement, reached in recent months after more than a year of talks, sent Intel shares up more than 15% on Thursday.
Apple has been exploring partnerships with Intel and Samsung as it tries to reduce reliance on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. after supply constraints hit recent iPhone and Mac sales.
For Intel, the deal would support new chief executive Lip-Bu Tan's push to win outside customers for its contract chipmaking business.
With massive losses and lower production yields, can Intel's deal with Apple truly challenge TSMC's global dominance?
As the U.S. builds new chip fabs, is the real supply chain bottleneck the critical minerals it doesn't control?
Intel’s 18A Process Powers Apple’s Move to Reduce Taiwan Dependency in 2026
Overview
In early 2026, Apple and Intel announced a deal for Intel to manufacture some Apple processors, marking a strategic move by Apple to reduce its heavy reliance on TSMC amid geopolitical risks in Taiwan. This partnership boosted Intel's stock and investor confidence, while aligning with US government efforts to promote domestic chip manufacturing. Apple plans to initially use Intel's advanced 18A process for secondary product lines, supporting its growing AI ambitions and supply chain resilience. Although TSMC remains Apple's primary supplier due to its technological lead, Intel's entry breaks TSMC's monopoly and could shift market dynamics, ultimately benefiting consumers with more stable device availability.