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

Source: MacRumors

Background

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’s designs, much like TSMC does today.

Potential Deal Details

• Intel could produce some of the lower‑end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest‑end M‑series chip found in select iPad and Mac models.
• Prior to Apple’s transition to its own silicon, Macs used Intel‑designed chips, but Apple faced continual chip‑delay issues.
• Apple now designs its own Arm‑based chips, which are manufactured by TSMC, allowing more regular update cycles.

Intel’s Manufacturing Plans

• Intel manufactures its own products and also produces chips for other companies.
• The company has been working to revitalize its manufacturing business under CEO Lip‑Bu Tan, who succeeded Pat Gelsinger.
• Intel is focusing on its most advanced process node, 14A (1.4 nm), slated for production in 2028, and is seeking customers for this node.
• It also offers the 18A node (1.8 nm) and continues to produce chips on older process technologies.

Apple’s Chip Supply Constraints

Tim Cook noted that iPhone 17 models were constrained during the quarter because Apple could not obtain enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.

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This article, “Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel,” first appeared on MacRumors.com.