Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Source: MacRumors

Intel may supply iPhone chips

Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone.

In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues “now expect” Intel to become a second‑tier supplier for Apple’s iPhone 15‑series chips, alongside the primary supplier, TSMC. The note adds that Intel could start delivering iPhone‑grade silicon as early as 2027, with a potential ramp‑up through 2028‑2029.

Key points

• Strategic diversification: Apple may be looking to diversify its supply chain to mitigate risks associated with relying on a single foundry.
• Technology fit: Intel’s upcoming process nodes (e.g., Intel 7 and Intel 4) could meet Apple’s performance‑per‑watt targets for future iPhone SoCs.
• Long‑term partnership: The note suggests a multi‑year collaboration, not a one‑off deal, indicating that Intel could become a regular part of Apple’s silicon ecosystem.

The analyst also noted that while Intel’s current roadmap is primarily focused on PC and data‑center markets, the company has been actively courting mobile‑device manufacturers to broaden its addressable market. If the rumor proves accurate, it would mark Intel’s most significant entry into the premium smartphone segment to date.