Apple Is Rumored to Tap Intel for Future iPhone Chip Production

Remember the messy breakup between Apple and Intel back in 2020? It looks like both companies could be heading toward a reunion.

Reports are swirling that Apple is looking to tap Intel to help build chips for future iPhones. According to a research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, obtained by MacRumors, Intel is expected to begin manufacturing some Apple chips using its future “14A” process, which is expected to be ready for mass production in 2028.

But there is a catch: Intel wouldn’t be designing these chips. They would essentially be a high-end “printing press” for Apple’s own designs. As MacRumors points out, “There is no indication that Intel would play a role in designing the iPhone chips, with its involvement expected to be strictly limited to fabrication.”

The ‘B-team’ strategy

Don’t expect the flashiest, most expensive iPhone Pro to carry an Intel-made heart right away. The current buzz suggests Intel will act as a secondary partner to Apple’s long-time manufacturer, TSMC.

• The target: Intel will likely handle the “non-Pro” iPhone models.
• The chips: We’re looking at portions of future A21 or A22 chips.
• The timeline: Intel could begin manufacturing chips for select iPhone models as early as 2028, though the partnership could surface earlier in other devices. MacDailyNews notes that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Intel to start shipping low-end M-series chips for certain Macs and iPads as early as mid-2027.

Why the U-turn?

Why would Apple go back to the company it spent years moving away from? It’s not about nostalgia; it’s about business and survival.

• The Nvidia factor: Apple used to be the “big dog” at TSMC, but the AI boom changed everything. eWeek reported last week that Nvidia has dethroned Apple as TSMC’s top customer due to surging demand for AI accelerators. With everyone fighting for the same factory space, Apple needs a “Plan B” to ensure it doesn’t run out of chips.
• Made in the USA: There is also a political angle. By using Intel’s US-based factories, Apple can align with domestic manufacturing pushes. According to The News International, “Apple is also reportedly expanding chip production in the US, aligning well with government incentives for such a move.”
• Geopolitical insurance: Relying entirely on one company in Taiwan (TSMC) is risky in a shifting global climate. This could be about strategic diversification, allowing Apple to hedge against regional disruptions. It also gives Apple more leverage in pricing negotiations.

A high-stakes challenge for Intel

Building iPhone processors is one of the toughest jobs in tech. The chips must be incredibly power-efficient to preserve battery life in a slim phone. Yields — the number of usable chips per batch — must be exceptionally high and consistent to meet Apple’s massive scale and tight annual release schedule.

TSMC has mastered this for years. For Intel, this would be the ultimate test to prove its recent manufacturing turnaround is for real. As AppleInsider’s Andrew Orr noted, “Until Intel proves it can deliver consistent efficiency, yields, and ecosystem maturity at iPhone scale, TSMC remains the only confirmed manufacturer capable of meeting Apple’s requirements.”

Crucially, this is all based on analyst forecasts, not official announcements. Neither Apple nor Intel has commented. If the 2028 timeline holds, any Intel-made chips are multiple iPhone generations away.

Also read: Apple issued urgent iOS updates, including iOS 12.5.8, to keep key services working on older iPhones after January 2027.

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