Apple and Intel are reportedly set to rekindle their chip partnership

One of Apple’s biggest announcements in recent years was the news in 2020 that the entire Mac lineup would be moving from Intel processors to Apple’s own-design ARM chips. The result of this potentially risky decision was a second life for the Mac and a moderate decline in Intel’s fortunes.

But years after the latest Intel Mac transitioned to Apple silicon, the former partners may be looking for a way to rekindle their relationship. On Friday, respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed on Twitter/X that Intel is now expected to play a role within Apple’s processor supply chain over the next two years.

“My latest industry surveys,” he writes, “indicate that visibility on Intel’s potential to become an advanced node supplier to Apple has recently improved significantly… Apple’s plan is for Intel to begin shipping its lowest-end M processor, using the 18AP advanced node, as soon as possible. [the second or third quarter of 2027]but the actual timetable remains dependent on development progress.

On this timeline, the chips in question could very well be the M6 ​​or M7, but it’s clear that this is not a return to the way things were. An advanced node foundry supplier is a downgrade from Intel’s former position as the leading Mac chip supplier. Intel would now be a manufacturing contract and not a design contract. Apple will not use Intel chips. Intel will supply Apple with chips of its own design.

Regardless, as Kuo points out, this itself is a relatively minor change for Apple, Intel, and current chip supplier TSMC, as the lowest-end M chip (used in the MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad Pro) is only expected to account for around 15 to 20 million units in 2026 and 2027. TSMC will continue to supply most of Apple’s chips and all chips high end.

But it could indicate an intention to make bigger changes in the future. Apple, Kuo says, wants to become less dependent on TSMC, particularly because of the risk of pricing activity. (TSMC is based in Taiwan, while Intel is headquartered in California.) And that means Intel could get more contracts with Apple as the Cupertino company seeks to diversify its supply chain and guard against political or economic uncertainty.