According to a research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, Apple and Intel might be heading for a surprising reunion, as Apple considers a deal that would see Intel manufacturing chips for future iPhones (via MacRumors).
Since 2020, Apple has moved away from Intel to its own “Apple Silicon” for Macs, and it has relied almost exclusively on TSMC in Taiwan to build those chips. Under this potential new deal, Apple would still do all the design work but Intel would act as the factory that actually builds them.
The report claims that Intel is expected to begin supplying chips for at least some iPhone models starting in 2028. These would likely be for the standard, non-Pro versions of the iPhone 20 or iPhone 21. The chips would be made using Intel’s upcoming “14A” manufacturing process, a highly advanced method that Intel is currently developing to compete with the world’s best chip makers.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about a return to Intel. Last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that Intel could start making chips for lower-end Macs and iPads as early as 2027. If these rumors are true, it shows that Apple is getting serious about changing how its supply chain works.
As to why Apple would go back to Intel after spending years moving away from them, there are a few big reasons. First, Apple wants to diversify. Right now, they rely very heavily on TSMC. If anything happens to disrupt production in Taiwan, it could mean no new iPhones for months. Having Intel as a second source in North America provides a massive safety net.
Second, there is a lot of pressure to build products in the United States. Intel is one of the few companies with advanced factories on American soil. Using Intel would help Apple claim more “Made in USA” status for its most important product.
Finally, competition for chip space is heating up. Companies like Nvidia are buying up massive amounts of factory space at TSMC to build AI chips. By working with Intel, Apple ensures it doesn’t get squeezed out of the market by the AI boom.
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