Apple’s Intel Chip Bet Could Shape Future iPhones — And SEA Buyers Should Watch

Apple may be preparing one of its biggest chip supply shifts in years, and while this sounds like deep semiconductor nerd stuff, it could eventually affect the iPhones, Macs, and mobile gaming devices Malaysians actually buy.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s early foundry arrangement with Intel gives Intel a rare chance to rebuild its chip manufacturing business. The deal is still not locked down in full public detail, but the idea is straightforward: Apple designs its own chips, while Intel could manufacture selected future Apple silicon using its newer process technology.

That matters because Apple has relied heavily on TSMC for its most advanced chips. TSMC is still expected to keep most of Apple’s high-end advanced-node orders, but Apple clearly does not want to depend on one supplier forever — especially when AI and high-performance computing demand are eating up more cutting-edge chip capacity.

The big detail: most of Apple’s Intel orders may be for iPhone chips

Kuo claims roughly 80% of Apple’s current Intel-related orders are tied to the A21, the chip expected for future iPhones. The remaining 20% reportedly involves the base M7 chip, which is expected around 2027.

That split makes sense. iPhones are Apple’s volume monster. If Apple is testing Intel as a serious manufacturing partner, the iPhone chip pipeline is where the real scale is.

The current expectation is that Apple may use Intel’s 18A-P process for the base M7 chip in 2027. For the A21, which is expected around 2028, Apple could reportedly choose Intel’s 18A-P or possibly Intel’s more advanced 14A process. Based on Kuo’s comments, 18A-P appears to be the more likely route for the standard A21, while the A21 Pro may still be handled by TSMC.

So, jangan panic — this does not mean every future iPhone chip suddenly becomes Intel-made. It sounds more like Apple spreading risk across suppliers while keeping its premium chips close to TSMC.

Why Malaysia and SEA should care

For Malaysian buyers, this is not about brand loyalty between Intel and TSMC. It is about supply, launch timing, and pricing pressure.

If Apple can successfully add Intel as a second major foundry option, future iPhone production may become less exposed to bottlenecks at TSMC. That could matter for SEA markets where launch stock is always a pain point, especially for Pro models and popular storage colours. Anyone who has tried pre-ordering a hot iPhone model here knows the drill — stock disappears fast, telco bundles get messy, and grey-market pricing can go gila for a while.

There is also a gaming angle. iPhones are not just flex devices anymore; they are serious mobile gaming hardware for titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, and future console-style ports. If Apple can maintain performance improvements while improving chip supply stability, SEA gamers benefit indirectly.

But there is a catch: Intel needs good yields. Kuo says Intel is aiming to stabilise 18A-P yields somewhere around 50% to 60% in 2027. That is a key number because poor yields can mean higher costs, limited volume, or delayed ramps. Apple is famously strict with manufacturing standards, so Intel cannot just be “okay lah” here — it has to deliver consistently.

Apple is hedging before it gets boxed in

The interesting part is that Apple reportedly started talking to Intel before TSMC’s advanced-node capacity issues became the big industry headache. That suggests Apple saw the AI boom coming and wanted leverage early.

TSMC is under huge pressure from AI chips and HPC customers. If more capacity goes to those workloads, Apple needs another path before its bargaining power weakens. Intel, meanwhile, badly needs a flagship foundry customer to prove it can compete at the top level again.

There are other pieces in play too. Apple has reportedly received Intel PDK samples for 18A-P evaluation, and GF Securities believes Apple’s upcoming Baltra ASIC, expected in 2027 or 2028, may use Intel’s EMIB packaging.

Bottom line: this is not an overnight iPhone revolution. But if Intel nails the process and Apple gets a reliable second source, future iPhones and Macs could become less supply-constrained. For SEA buyers, that could mean smoother launches, healthier stock, and maybe fewer ridiculous early-market markups.

Source: Wccftech Gaming