Apple’s chip supply chain could be getting a very interesting shake-up. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has reportedly started test runs using Intel’s 18A-P manufacturing process for future Apple Silicon chips.
The key detail: this is not expected to replace TSMC as Apple’s main chip partner. Instead, Kuo says Intel’s early work would focus on “low-end” or older-generation Apple processors for products like iPhones, iPads and Macs.
That means we probably should not expect the next flagship iPhone Pro chip to suddenly come from Intel. Based on the report, this sounds more like Apple testing whether Intel can handle mature or legacy Apple Silicon production reliably before anything bigger happens.
Why Apple working with Intel again is a big deal
For newer Apple fans, this might feel like a weird crossover episode. But Intel used to be central to the Mac. Before Apple moved to its own M-series chips in 2020, Macs ran on Intel processors for years.
Since then, Apple Silicon has become one of the company’s biggest advantages. The M-series chips made MacBooks faster, cooler and more battery-efficient, while iPhone chips continued to push performance hard every year. Most of that production has relied heavily on TSMC in Taiwan.
That reliance is probably the main reason this Intel news matters. Apple reportedly wants to diversify its processor supply, instead of depending too much on one manufacturer. For a company shipping iPhones, iPads and Macs globally, supply chain risk is not a small thing.
For Malaysian and SEA buyers, this could matter more than it sounds. If Apple can spread production across more fabs, it may reduce the chance of chip shortages affecting device availability in our region. Anyone who has watched iPhone stock disappear during launch season knows how annoying that can be.
What is Intel 18A-P?
Intel’s 18A-P process is described as an updated version of its 18A technology, which Intel is also using for chips like Panther Lake. Engadget notes that Intel 18A is roughly comparable to TSMC’s N2 process when it comes to performance and transistor density.
In simple terms: Intel is trying to prove it can manufacture cutting-edge chips again. Getting Apple as a customer, even for lower-end or older Apple Silicon, would be a massive credibility boost.
The reported timeline is also not immediate. Intel is expected to spend 2026 testing production, with 2027 targeted for actual production and deliveries. Output could then increase across 2028 and 2029.
Kuo also reportedly said Intel’s fabs in Oregon, Arizona and Ohio could be involved. One possible chip mentioned is the A18 Pro for older and lower-end iPhones and Macs.
TSMC still stays on top
Even if Intel’s test runs go well, TSMC is reportedly still expected to manufacture around 90% of Apple’s processors. So no, this is not Apple abandoning TSMC.
Kuo also said around 80% of Intel’s Apple output would likely be used for iPhone chips, which makes sense because iPhones are Apple’s biggest hardware volume play.
Apple is also reportedly evaluating other Intel advanced-node technologies, including 14A, for possible future iPhone chips.
For now, this is more “watch closely” than “panic upgrade your MacBook.” But if Intel can deliver, Apple gets more flexibility, Intel gets a huge win, and consumers may benefit from a stronger, less fragile supply chain.
For Malaysia, where Apple devices are premium purchases and launch availability can be a real headache, anything that improves supply stability is worth paying attention to. The chips inside your next iPhone may still mostly come from TSMC — but Intel might be back in Apple’s orbit sooner than expected.
Source: Engadget