Five years ago, Apple made a loud break from Intel: the transition to its own M-series chips manufactured by TSMC became a symbol of the company's technological independence. Now Intel is making a comeback — but in a different role.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has confirmed: Apple has launched pilot production processes on Intel's 18A-P process node. This concerns chips for more affordable and previous-generation devices — iPhones, iPads, and lower-end Macs. Mass production, if tests are successful, is planned for 2026–2027.
What is 18A-P and why does it matter
Intel's 18A process node (roughly equivalent to 1.8 nm) uses RibbonFET transistors and PowerVia backside power delivery technology. According to analysts, this provides 10% performance gains and 15% energy savings compared to the previous Intel 3. Test chips using this process already completed tape-out in October 2025; among the first customers are Microsoft and Amazon.
According to Engadget's assessment, Intel 18A approximately matches TSMC N2 in transistor density and performance. This means Apple is not sacrificing quality for diversification — at least not for less flagship chips.
Why now — and why Intel specifically
TSMC manufactures approximately 90% of Apple's processors and over 70% of the world's most advanced chips. Nearly all of them are produced in Taiwan. This geographical vulnerability is something Cupertino can no longer ignore.
"The Intel deal is not about abandoning TSMC, it's about never having supply constraints again."
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Beyond pure business logic, there is a political dimension. In 2025, the U.S. government converted a $9 billion federal grant into equity in Intel — and became the company's largest shareholder with approximately 10% stake. The Trump administration actively pressured Apple to resume cooperation with Intel and increase manufacturing on American soil.
In parallel, Bloomberg reports that Apple also visited Samsung's facility in Texas — meaning diversification is not limited to Intel alone. The company is seeking multiple alternatives simultaneously.
What this changes — and for whom
- For Intel: Apple as a customer is not just revenue; it's confirmation that the company's foundry division is competitive. Following the announcement, Intel shares rose approximately 14%.
- For TSMC: even in the most optimistic scenario for Intel, TSMC will remain the primary manufacturer — Kuo estimates its share at 90% even after Intel begins deliveries.
- For consumers: chips based on 18A-P will go into more affordable devices, not flagships. iPhone 18 Pro and MacBook Pro based on the M-series will remain on TSMC.
Apple can afford to pay for dual sourcing — the company's gross profit exceeds 49%, and the cost of insurance against geopolitical risk is imperceptibly factored into device prices for buyers.
The real question is not whether Intel can deliver technically — test results so far are encouraging. The question is whether Intel will maintain stable yield rates at Apple's scales when pilot batches grow into industrial volumes in 2027: that is when it will become clear whether this is genuine diversification or merely a geopolitical gesture toward Washington.
