Earlier this month, we saw a report which claimed that Apple is looking to diversify its chip production away from TSMC with Intel and Samsung as potential partners. Noted Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo’s latest post also backs up these claims alongside a few more details.
Apple and Intel have apparently kicked off legacy Apple silicon chip production on Intel’s 18A-P process, which is equivalent to TSMC’s process used on the A18 Pro chip. According to the report, these are low-end chips set to be used in iPhone, iPads and Macs, and Kuo estimates that 80% of the chips are meant for iPhone. These chips will be made by Intel in the US.
Kuo believes that Cupertino and Intel are currently doing small-scale testing throughout this year, with plans to ramp up production in 2027 and 2028 and then eventually dial down capacity in 2029. At the same time Apple is reportedly evaluating Intel’s more advanced process nodes.
Despite these efforts, TSMC will remain Apple’s main chip supplier with an estimated 90% share of all Apple Silicon chips supplied.
