Apple’s chip strategy may be heading toward a major shift, and Intel is now part of that discussion. If the talks advance, Intel could manufacture some of the chips used in iPhone and Mac devices based on Apple’s designs, marking a notable change in how Apple manages one of its most important supply chains.
For years, Apple has relied heavily on TSMC for chip production. That dependence is now being tested by Apple’s broader effort to spread manufacturing risk across more than one supplier and keep chip availability more stable.
A possible new manufacturing path
The Wall Street Journal, as cited by MacRumors, says Intel would make lower-end processors for certain iPhone and Mac models. The exact chips have not been identified, but the reported plan suggests Apple is at least exploring manufacturing options beyond its main partner.
According to the same report, Apple has been in discussions with Intel for more than a year. Those conversations reportedly covered the possibility of shifting all or part of chip production away from TSMC and toward Intel, while Samsung was also considered at one stage.
That alone would be a meaningful development. Apple has long built its chip strategy around a very tight manufacturing model, so even an initial step toward another foundry would signal a broader change in how the company protects supply.
Why Apple is looking beyond TSMC
The move appears tied to supply stability as much as to strategy. Apple is said to want a structure that can better absorb capacity limits at its main supplier and reduce pressure if production costs continue to rise.
TSMC has reportedly reached a point where additional Apple orders would require higher spending, which adds another reason for Apple to look elsewhere. At the same time, the company has been dealing with supply strain linked to strong demand for MacBook Neo.
That demand reportedly left Apple short of binned A18 Pro chips it had ordered, while supply constraints also affected A19 and A19 Pro chips. Taken together, those shortages show why Apple may want more than one manufacturing path for critical silicon.
Intel’s return to the spotlight
For Intel, the talks carry a different kind of importance. The company has been working to rebuild its position in semiconductors after management changes and strategic adjustments under Lip-Bu Tan.
Intel is now focusing on more advanced process nodes, including 14A, or 1.4 nm, and 18A, or 1.8 nm. A potential role in Apple’s supply chain would be a strong sign that Intel is getting closer to the manufacturing standard Apple requires.
That matters because Intel has often been viewed as trailing behind rivals in chip manufacturing and yield quality. A partnership with Apple would therefore be more than a commercial deal; it would also suggest a shift in how the market views Intel’s foundry ambitions.
What remains unknown
Despite the reported progress in talks, the scope of the possible deal is still unclear. Apple has not said which chips Intel might produce, and the specifications already shared with Intel have also not been revealed.
There has also been no formal announcement from either company. For now, the key takeaway is that Apple is actively exploring a more diversified production model, with Intel emerging as a serious option alongside TSMC.
If the arrangement moves forward, the effects could be felt across Apple’s iPhone and Mac supply chain. It would also mark one of the clearest signs yet that Apple is preparing a more layered manufacturing setup, with multiple major players supporting its chip production.
