Report: Intel is Testing Production of Some iPhone, iPad, and Mac Chips

[rp2011]

Good to see Intel get a second chance, but I am worried about Apple chip IP. I am sure there could be value in Apple getting into chip manufacturing at least for their lower end chips at first. They are not like AMD or Intel where they need to seek customers to keep their fabs busy. They could set up dedicated fabs for at least some of their chips. Not saying putting all their eggs in that basket but I am sure there could be more benefit from such an endeavor than from developing something so out of left field like a car.

 

[NewOldStock]

Awe is`nt this sweet Apple may get another baby brother or sister. 🙂- 😛😛😝😝😜😜

 

[marte91]

Unfortunately, there’s no way other manufacturers can come close to making up for the loss in chip production capacity a Chinese invasion of Taiwan will bring about. I applaud these moves to diversify the supply chain, but overall it’s kind of a joke. If a possible war involves Japan and Korea (likely), well, that will reeeaaally screw things up.

Whatever way you look at it, it is better to have some production outside of China, if something does happen, then at least they still can have some Chips.

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

That's changing now. Apple won't be the only one to get N2 at launch, and A16 (TSMC 1.6nm node) is HPC-focused and Apple definitely won't get it first (rumors say NVIDIA) and I wouldn't be surprised if they delay it until a mobile-focused version comes out.

That's why I think this deal makes sense for Apple even aside from the political considerations. HPC revenue at TSMC recently surpassed smartphones. TSMC has jacked up prices- including on Apple. Apple and TSMC are going from a symbiotic relationship where TSMC needed Apple to fund the new node and test it out first, and Apple needed TSMC for manufacturing, to one where Apple is dependent on TSMC but TSMC doesn't need Apple in the same way. TSMC is raising prices because of the AI data center boom, but Apple can't afford to get into a bidding war for wafers with AI chip companies that have chips that sell for thousands each.

Apple despises supplier relationships where Apple is not the one with the leverage and generally tries to dual-source so it can play suppliers against each other. If the second supplier isn't up to par, Apple will often work with them for years to try and make them viable (LG Display, BOE, Luxshare, etc.). It makes sense to try to do this with logic chips too. Intel will obviously give Apple a sweetheart deal, while Apple can use the existence of a credible second supplier to stop TSMC from raising prices on it again.

Wow, Ming-Chi Kuo in his article on X.com basically confirmed what I said months ago. Apple knows TSMC is focusing on HPC over smartphones and it will only get worse going forward, so they are trying to build Intel up into a viable competitor to restore the balance of power before their position vis-a-vis TSMC deteriorates even more. This is not primarily about Trump or Taiwan, Apple needs Intel.

 

[marte91]

Trump has to go after visiting China next to Russia for begging the resources there (Rare earth elements), that are needed for USA chip industry.

Intel can produce them chips, but without needed materials? Nope.

The opposite is also true, China can't produce those same Chips on their own, they don't posses neither the equipment, expertise or know how.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

AMD divested their chip manufacturing back in 2009 and now primarily uses TSMC to manufacture their chips. The spun off company still exists as Globalfoundries, however their latest manufacturing process is a 12 nm platform which wouldn't be suitable for recent Apple designed chips.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the info.

 

[spritle]

How can I tell if my Apple product has Intel chips in it? Is it the overheating device, or some other method?

Because it's a 50nm chip.

 

[artifex]

That would be just my luck, said fairwell to my trusty old 2020 iMac today with the trade-in and nicely settled in with my M4 Pro Mac Mini and Studio Display - I wouldn't be particularly chuffed if they switched back to Intel at this point having done 3 processor transitions so far (OK, well we know that 68000 wasn't going to cut it forever). I am really enjoying the new setup though, the Studio Display is the real hopeful investment to avoid me shelling out too much on a refresh of the Mac in 4-5 years (again, hopefully).

This has nothing to do with another architectural transition.

Edit: oops, someone else has pointed this out already. I need to not post when I haven't fully caught up 😛

 

[1037]

We're always talking about the Trump administration pushing Apple towards Intel. But what about AMD? It's another American company manufacturing chips, isn't it? It could be another option on top of Intel.

AMD is outsourced to TSMC

 

[CarAnalogy]

Unfortunately, there’s no way other manufacturers can come close to making up for the loss in chip production capacity a Chinese invasion of Taiwan will bring about. I applaud these moves to diversify the supply chain, but overall it’s kind of a joke. If a possible war involves Japan and Korea (likely), well, that will reeeaaally screw things up.

This is like when Obama asked Steve Jobs what it would take to have the iPhone made in America. He told him all those years ago it would take at least ten to fifteen years investment, and nothing happened.

Best time to plant a tree, and all that...

 

[Hushpuppy!]

• In 2020, Apple started the transition from intel to Apple Silicon.
• In 2026, Apple is seeking the help of intel to manufacture Apple Silicon.

It’s still Apple Silicon. Intel will only fab. Intel is lucky to get any orders from Apple but it will be mutually beneficial.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

This is like when Obama asked Steve Jobs what it would take to have the iPhone made in America. He told him all those years ago it would take at least ten to fifteen years investment, and nothing happened.

Best time to plant a tree, and all that...

He said those Jobs (heh heh) aren’t coming back.

 

[CarAnalogy]

He said those Jobs (heh heh) aren’t coming back.

And then went on to talk about why, and saying that it would take a decade to bring them back if they started then.

Which to be fair is kind of a skate where the puck is going thing, and if Intel really does this, better late than never.

 

[svish]

Think chips made by Intel will once again come to an iPhone/iPad within the next 3 to 4 years. Good to know about this development.

 

[fbadini]

Low-End Apple Silicon! I am sure Apple hasn‘t redesigned their past Silicon Design. On Inter 18A process? This process runs on ASML High-NA EUV Machine. It could do more, like PowerVia, RibonFET, and GAA. What a waste.

I think it is all about power vs density. AFAIK Intel 18A is at 238 MTr/mm^2, quite like TSMC previous node N3E. So it is like the can make an A18/M4…this year, while TSMC with their N2* class node can make it A20 this year. Intel is more or less one and half year back. But they are definitely closing the gap so it is a smart move produce for instance A19 next year for MacBook Neo second edition, or for AppleTV/Homepod

 

[doolar]

Preparing for my next iPhone to be used as central heating then. 🤣

 

[Korito]

• In 2020, Apple started the transition from intel to Apple Silicon.
• In 2026, Apple is seeking the help of intel to manufacture Apple Silicon.

To both corps the main goal is to make money. This is how they can make more money. There is no love, hate or any of these silly emotions in business.

 

[opeter]

The opposite is also true, China can't produce those same Chips on their own, they don't posses neither the equipment, expertise or know how.

Yes and no.

Why would they produce the same chips? It is enough, if they make compatible and in speed/functions similar chips. Then there is mass production - that will happen one day.

The Chinese are slowly catching up on the chip development, producing/manufacturing segment, at least for DRAM (RAM chips) and 3D NAND Flash memory (SSD chips).

Here is a list: Top 10 Memory Factory in China 2025

Also, on the CPU front industry, there are some Chinese companies, that are slowly, but steadily developing. Loongson, Zhaoxin, Phytium, HiSilicon (Huawei)...

Don't underestimate them.

 

[spritle]

If the chips are made in America, how much more expensive will AppleCare become?

 

[foggygray]

For all anyone knows they could be testing intel’s fabrication for modem, wireless, or other auxiliary chips while keeping TSMC for the high performance SoCs.

 

[Quicksilver867]

Intel could likely punch out a bunch of A18s for the Neo demand.

 

[throAU]

I'm sure the intel fab will be useful for things like HomePods and the appleTV that are based on 5 year old tech and not power efficiency sensitive.

 

[Quicksilver867]

I'm sure the intel fab will be useful for things like HomePods and the appleTV that are based on 5 year old tech and not power efficiency sensitive.

Agreed, even more recent stuff than that as well. Intel is a competent foundry but not designer. If handed Apple designs I see no problems with them producing good yields.

 

[throAU]

Agreed, even more recent stuff than that as well. Intel is a competent foundry but not designer. If handed Apple designs I see no problems with them producing good yields.

Was. remains to be seen post 2015.

10nm was a total and utter foundry disaster
7nm hasn't been competitive either.

I'd argue that in the past they were foundry++ and design ok
Since 2015 its been a little bit tilted towards design being better than foundry (out of necessity - they've previously been able to rely on fab advantage and that just didn't exist - they were able to hold on a bit when AMD were stuck with Global Foundries but once they fulfilled that contract and could use TMSC... bye..)

Intel really, really screwed up with 10nm process and never recovered.

 

[Mainyehc]

• In 2020, Apple started the transition from intel to Apple Silicon.
• In 2026, Apple is seeking the help of intel to manufacture Apple Silicon.

If by that you mean that Apple was so much more successful in chip design than Intel, and Intel was so much more unsuccessful than either Apple or their rivals AMD, Qualcomm, Samsung, etc., that they’re now willing to eat away at their own chip manufacturing capabilities to produce other companies’ designs just to stay relevant… yep, all of this happening in just six years was a vertiginous fall from grace.