Pump! Apple and Intel signed a preliminary agreement so that the Blue Team start to manufacture part of the chips used in devices from Appleaccording to the investigation of the The Wall Street Journal and other international media outlets.
The two companies had been negotiating more than a year ago and finalized the formal terms in recent monthsalthough neither party has publicly confirmed the agreement so far.
What is known about the scope of the agreement
The sources interviewed did not detail which product lines will receive chips manufactured by Intel. THE Apple sells more than 200 million iPhones per year, in addition to millions of iPads and computers Macand currently concentrates the production of its processors in TSMCbased in Taiwan.
The agreement does not represent one return of the x86 processors from the Intel to the Macswhich since the end of 2020 have been equipped with the M series chips designed by itself Apple. THE Intel would act as manufacturer of chips designed by Applea role similar to the one TSMC plays today.
Parallel negotiations with Samsung and the United States factor
In addition to conversations with Intelthe Apple maintained dialogues with the Samsung for the production of processors in United States. The renowned international website Reuters described these negotiations as being in early stagewithout formal requests registered.
The diversification movement takes place while the TSMC Advanced Node Capability remains highly pressured by the demand for artificial intelligence (AI), which led to Apple to admit, during its last earnings call, that the provision of Mac Studio and Mac mini it will take several months to normalize.
The role of the American government
THE United States government had direct participation in the negotiations. The Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnickmet repeatedly with the Apple summit in the last 12 months, including the CEO of exit Tim Cookto convince the company to resume business with Intel.
THE President Donald Trump also personally defended the Intel in a meeting with cook in White Houseaccording to people familiar with the matter.
Intel now has 10% participation from the American government in August 2025and the administration Trump has been working to secure new contracts for the company.
What chips can Intel produce for Apple
The supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on second semester of 2025 that the Intel should start sending the Apple’s entry-level M processor already in 2027.
Analyst Jeff Pu added in December last year that the partnership could extend to iPhone chips from 2028, restricted to non-Pro models.
You reports of GF Securities and the DigiTimes also pointed out the process 18A-P from the Intel as a candidate for the entry M series chips with expected shipping to 2027 and for chips Non-Pro iPhone in 2028.
THE GF Securities went further to indicate that the Apple custom ASICwith release expected between 2027 and 2028will use encapsulation EMIB from the Intel.
THE Apple signed a confidentiality agreement with the Intel a few months ago to obtain samples of the software development kit 18A-P node process to evaluate the technology.
This process is the first from Intel to offer support to Foveros Direct 3D hybrid connectionwhich allows stack multiple chiplets through interconnections vertical.
You we 18A-P and 14A appear as the potential candidatesl for the manufacture of chips Apple in the factories from the Intel.
Timeline of events
| Year/date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Intel has started shipping x86 processors for Apple’s Macs and MacBooks. |
| 2010 | Apple began developing its own chip design with the Apple A4, used in the first iPad and iPhone 4. |
| 2015 | Apple launched the 12-inch MacBook, the company’s first fanless notebook, still equipped with an Intel processor. |
| 2019 | Apple bought most of Intel’s modem division for $1 billion, absorbing about 2,200 employees, intellectual property and equipment. |
| June 2020 | Apple announced the transition of Macs to Apple Silicon, phasing out the use of Intel processors. |
| June 2023 | Apple has discontinued the Mac Pro with Intel and severed all commercial ties with the manufacturer. |
| July 2024 | Intel’s then CEO, Pat Gelsinger, announced results considered disastrous, precipitating changes in the company’s leadership. |
| March 2025 | Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO of Intel. |
| August 2025 | The American government took a 10% stake in Intel. |
| September 2025 | Intel signed a $5 billion deal with NVIDIA to build CPUs for PCs and data centers. Bloomberg reported that Intel consulted Apple about a potential investment and ways to increase collaboration. |
| End of 2025 | The Trump administration began to act to make new contracts available to Intel. Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple and Intel are exploring a partnership for future M-series chips, with a possible start of production in 2027. Apple has signed a confidentiality agreement with Intel to obtain samples of the 18A-P node process development kit and evaluate it. |
| December 2025 | Jeff Pu stated that the partnership could include iPhone chips from 2028, restricted to non-Pro models. |
| April 2026 | Intel has signed an agreement to support Elon Musk’s Terafab project, producing chips for Tesla, SpaceX and xAI with the 14A process. |
| May 2026 (early this week) | Bloomberg reported that Apple is in talks with Intel and Samsung to diversify processor production in the United States. |
| May 8, 2026 | The Wall Street Journal revealed that Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary agreement to manufacture chips. The companies do not comment officially. |
Intel’s resurgence under Lip-Bu Tan
THE Intel appointed Lip-Bu Tan as CEO in March 2025after leaving Pat Gelsingerwho left office amid results considered disastrous in July 2024. Under the new management, the company has achieved a series of important agreements.
Finally, we highlight that, in addition to the partnership of US$5 billion with the NVIDIA for the production of CPUs aimed at PCs and data centers and project support Terafab of Elon Muskthe share price of the Intel reached a record high of $126.23.
The positive result was reached on the date of publication of the agreement with the Applesurpassing the previous peak recorded during the “dot-com” (.com) bubble in 2000.
One year later, Intel shares triple in value under CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
Source: www.adrenaline.com.br
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