Apple is reportedly considering Intel to manufacture iPhone processors by 2028 using the 14A node, complementing TSMC to diversify supply for non-Pro models.
© A. Krivonosov
It looks like Intel could find its way back into Apple’s ecosystem—but not quite in the way many expected. A new report from investment firm GF Securities says Apple is considering tapping Intel to manufacture a portion of the chips for future iPhones, with production potentially beginning around 2028.
Analyst Jeff Pu suggests Apple and Intel may reach a supply deal under which Intel would fabricate some mobile processors for iPhone models outside the Pro line. The plan is said to involve Intel’s upcoming 14A process. On the timeline, that would align with a possible A22 chip for a hypothetical iPhone 20 and a streamlined iPhone 20e.
The report emphasizes that Intel would not take part in chip architecture. Apple would continue to design its own SoCs, while Intel would handle part of the manufacturing alongside Apple’s key partner, TSMC. In practice, Apple keeps the blueprints and adds another production partner to spread the load.
This isn’t the first sign of a partial Intel return to Apple’s orbit. Earlier, insider Ming-Chi Kuo indicated that Intel could start producing lower-end M-series chips for budget Macs and certain iPad models as soon as 2027, reportedly using the Intel 18A process.
It’s also important to note this has nothing to do with Intel’s old x86 chips once used in MacBooks. Any future Intel-made processors for Apple would follow Apple’s ARM-compatible designs—the same approach behind today’s M-series and A-series chips.
Why would Apple pursue this? The company has spent years diversifying its supply chain to reduce reliance on a single manufacturer—TSMC. Bringing Intel into the fold could boost resilience against semiconductor disruptions and increase available capacity. For Intel, it’s a chance to regain a major customer and strengthen its position in the market. Strategically, it feels like a pragmatic hedge for Apple and a meaningful test for Intel.
The key question remains: how closely can Intel’s output match TSMC’s, and will it meet Apple’s quality bar? It’s too early to judge—devices with such processors aren’t expected until late in the decade. If Intel delivers, everyone stands to benefit: Apple gains stability, Intel gains contracts, and users may well never notice the difference.