Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel

[MacRumors]

After more than a year of discussion, Apple and Intel established a preliminary agreement that will see Intel manufacturing processors for Apple devices, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Intel would make chips based on Apple chip designs, much like TSMC. Prior rumors on Intel's Apple talks have suggested Intel could make some of the lower-end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest-end M-series chip used in select iPad and Mac models.

Before Apple adopted Apple silicon, it used Intel-designed chips for its Macs, but had to deal with continual chip delays. Apple now designs its own Arm chips that are manufactured by TSMC, allowing it to provide updates at a more regular cadence.

Intel makes its own chips, but it also makes chips for other companies. Apple has not previously eyed Intel as a supplier because it has lagged behind other chip makers like TSMC and Samsung, and because of the history between the two companies. Intel replaced CEO Pat Gelsinger with Lip-Bu Tan last year, and Tan has led an effort to revitalize Intel's chip manufacturing business.

Tan has been focusing on Intel's most advanced process node, 14A, which will reach production in 2028. Intel has been seeking customers for its 14A 1.4nm node. Intel also makes 18A chips built on a 1.8nm node, along with chips built on older process nodes.

Apple has been working to diversify its supply chain, because Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is currently its sole Apple silicon manufacturer. During Apple's latest earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said iPhone 17 models had been constrained during the quarter because Apple could not get enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.

TSMC is one of the world's largest chip manufacturers, and along with making chips for Apple, it makes chips for other companies like Nvidia. With the AI boom and huge demand for AI servers, TSMC has more limited capacity for chips made for consumer devices, and Apple has less leverage to convince TSMC to make its chips.

Article Link: Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel

 

[mozumder]

Apple should at least start working on making your own fabs. Otherwise they will be at the mercy of external providers that are more interested in AI.

"Real men have fabs" - Jerry Sanders

 

[STOCK411]

So essentially its just using intel as another fabrication factory. Since the current fabrication factories cant keep up with the demand

 

[HouseLannister]

So an Apple-designed processor produced by Intel in a phone with an Intel-designed modem produced by Apple? Got it.

Spoiler

Yeah, I know the modem is only based on Intel's work. Don't ruin the joke.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Cool. Hope 14A works out.

 

[jz0309]

Soon? A port of an existing g chip to another foundry will take more than 1 iteration, and it will not perform the same.
So diversifying foundry is a good move, timing of this, well, I think we're looking into 2027 at the earliest for products to show up imho, nvm, article states 2028 for 14A for production, so 2-3 years.

 

[apparatchik]

If they go ahead with this I really hope the phone comes with several stickers on the screen "Intel Inside", "A19 Pro", etc.

 

[gummybear2026]

Great move by Apple and as an Intel investor the stock is still rising to the moon!

 

[I/0]

Oh boy. I’m old enough to remember the “chip-gate” with the iPhone 6s as the same chip was produced by TSMC and Samsung with TSMC’s variant delivering some better performance and battery life, would bet people will overreact the same way.

 

[contraband]

Put the past behind. This is the right move in the long run

 

[AppleTO]

I’m sure Intel isn’t about to turn down business from Apple (or anyone at this point).

 

[omenatarhuri]

how are they enemies? They’ve never been direct competitors, outside of apples own use.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer

 

[Nyx1]

Well done let see how Papa John in the future to handle this situation decision for using Intel is better than Samsung really hope Intel not screwing up like Samsung decade ago try copy in house design chip Apple

 

[thejadedmonkey]

how are they enemies? They’ve never been direct competitors, outside of apples own use.

I don't believe that they had an amicable parting when Apple switched from x86-64 to ARM.

As in, they officially found out that Apple was switching to ARM during WWDC, along with everyone else.

 

[Nyx1]

I'am still hoping Apple make his own foundry at least using for low cost product

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't believe that they had an amicable parting when Apple switched from x86-64 to ARM.

As in, they officially found out that Apple was switching to ARM during WWDC, along with everyone else.

If that last part is true, I can understand why they would be upset.

That is not how you treat your manufacturing partner.

 

[k1121j]

I’m sure diversifying helps with pricing. One would think vendors will fight for business.

 

[drapestar]

I don't believe that they had an amicable parting when Apple switched from x86-64 to ARM.

As in, they officially found out that Apple was switching to ARM during WWDC, along with everyone else.

I think it goes back even further, to Pentium vs. Power Mac. I remember the Pentium ads back in the late 90s seemed to be direct shots at Apple (thinking around the time iMac came out?)

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

This should be a wake up call for tSMC because once this ridiculous data center insane building stops Apple(as strong as ever) will have moved on.

 

[bradman83]

So an Apple-designed processor produced by Intel in a phone with an Intel-designed modem produced by Apple? Got it.

Spoiler

Yeah, I know the modem is only based on Intel's work. Don't ruin the joke.

...Also, the modem is technically produced by TSMC for Apple. JOKE RUINED! 😉

 

[Jarutais]

They should do it ASAP... As soon as China takes Taiwan TSMC is done

 

[HouseLannister]

Intel: We now make Apple chips.

My warped brain:

 

[now i see it]

and last I heard- Intel is having TSMC manufacture some of its chips

 

[Corefile]

Is this as a second source or to make specific chips. I wouldn't want to rely on Intel for being a single source and how do we know that Intel chips would be as good as the first source via this process? I'm not sure I'd want Intel chips in my Apple Silicon Mac.