- Intel might start building chips for Apple again, but this time only as the factory (foundry), rather than as the designer.
- This partnership would likely start with the next generation of processors, specifically the M7 series expected around 2027.
- Apple is looking at using Intel’s 18A-P manufacturing process for these chips.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst with contacts to Apple’s supply chain, believes Intel might manufacture future CPUs for Apple’s M-Series family. This means Intel will develop the next generation of SoCs to power Apple’s laptops and desktops. As a result, if Apple sticks to its launch schedule, Intel may be behind the future M7 processor series.
With this, Intel will be together with Apple once again. It is worth remembering that Apple created its own chips based on the ARM architecture to replace Intel processors. And it must be admitted that this was one of Apple’s best moves in history.
They’ve used it to make extremely powerful laptops with some of the highest energy efficiency on the market, which is no minor feat. Intel and Apple’s paths will cross again, but this time with Intel working as a foundry, bringing to life the company’s future chips with the bitten apple logo.
According to these reports, Apple is considering commissioning Intel to manufacture its entry-level M-Series CPUs beginning in 2027. Given the schedule, this would involve producing Apple M7 chips. Since “entry-level” is mentioned, it’s pretty likely that Apple will employ TSMC for its Apple M7 Pro and Max variants, utilizing Intel’s innovative 18-angstrom manufacturing process, better known as Intel 18A-P.
Analysts suggest that Intel and Apple have already signed a confidentiality agreement. With this collaboration, Apple has gained access to an early version of the Intel 18A-P node development kit. The stable version of the kit is planned for release in early 2026.
If all goes as planned, Intel’s initial chips could ship in the second and third quarters of 2027, possibly coinciding with the Apple M7.
For context, the Apple M3 was released in October 2023, the Apple M4 in May 2024, and the Apple M5 in October 2025. As a result, the Apple M6 should come no earlier than mid-2026, with the Apple M7 following in October or late 2027. This corresponds to the delivery timetable for the first batch of Apple M-Series CPUs made by Intel.
The expected annual production volume ranges between 15 and 20 million chips. This would minimise their dependence on TSMC while also lowering the manufacturing costs of their most basic chip, which is used in laptops, desktops, and even tablets.
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Sajjad Hussain is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Tech4Gamers.com. Apart from the Tech and Gaming scene, Sajjad is a Seasonal banker who has delivered multi-million dollar projects as an IT Project Manager and works as a freelancer to provide professional services to corporate giants and emerging startups in the IT space.
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