What not so long ago might have sounded like science fiction is beginning to look like a very real scenario: Intel will once again be present in Macs and iPadsBut not as we knew it until now. Instead of selling its own x86 processors to Apple, it would take charge of manufacturing part of the Apple Silicon chips designed in Cupertino.
According to various supply chain reports, led by the analyst Ming-Chi KuoApple has reportedly given the green light to a plan to commission Intel to produce the entry-level Apple Silicon processors intended for future MacBook Air and iPad Pro Starting in the second half of this decade. The move aligns with Apple's strategy to diversify its suppliers and Intel's need to revitalize its advanced foundry business.
From the x86 marriage to reuniting as a manufacturing partner
For more than a decade, Macs relied entirely on Intel processors based on x86 architectureUntil 2020, when Apple completed the transition to Apple Silicon with its own Arm-designed cores. That seemed to definitively close the Intel era in the brand's computers, but recent leaks suggest otherwise. a return with very different roles.
The key to change is that Intel will not design anythingAll architecture, SoC design, and optimization for macOS and iPadOS will remain in Apple's hands, which will maintain its Apple Silicon line based on Arm. Intel will act exclusively as a supplier. foundryin a role similar to that which TSMC plays today: providing factories, cutting-edge manufacturing processes and production capacity, without intervening in the technical decisions of the chip.
This shift implies that, in a few years, we will see again MacBook Air and iPad Pro with processors physically manufactured in Intel plantsBut they will still be true Apple Silicon. There will be no return to x86 or the old scenario of high power consumption and problematic temperatures: they will be Apple designs produced with Intel's most advanced lithography.
The change is especially relevant in markets such as Spain and the rest of Europewhere the MacBook Air and professional-grade iPads have established themselves as very popular devices in the home, education, and professional sectors. Apple's strengthening of its chip manufacturing network could have repercussions for a greater stock stability and less price pressure in these regions.
In parallel, diversifying manufacturing across several foundries helps Apple reduce your exposure to incidents in a single country or plant, something that the technology industry is very aware of after the semiconductor supply problems of recent years.
Which chips will Intel manufacture and what role will TSMC retain?
Reports from Ming-Chi Kuo and other sources agree that the alliance will focus on the entry-level versions of the future M6 or M7 familiesThat is, the basic variants of these SoCs, designed for high-volume systems such as MacBook Air, some iPad Pro models, and even certain lower-end iPad Air or desktop models.
In this scheme, The most powerful ranges —Pro, Max and Ultra— will remain in the hands of TSMCThe Taiwanese foundry will retain production of the most complex and performance-demanding chips, such as those destined for MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, Mac Pro and, of course, the A-series SoCs for iPhone.
The plan is not to replace TSMC, but to Distribute the workload according to chip type, cost, and performance prioritiesIntel would take over the standard M-Series, where the balance between efficiency, price, and production capacity is more important than squeezing every extra point of peak performance; TSMC would remain focused on high-end designs.
Some forecasts even indicate that the total volume of low-end M-chips could be reduced Regarding current generations, if Apple decides to launch a MacBook based on an iPhone-derived SoC starting in 2026, splitting production between TSMC and Intel would allow Apple to experiment with different configurations without putting excessive strain on either factory.
For TSMC, the direct impact would be limited: will maintain the bulk of orders for Apple's most advanced chips And it will remain the central partner for the high-end market. However, Intel's entry introduces a competitive element that could push all foundries to refine costs, timelines, and innovation rates.
Intel 18A and 18A-P: the 2nm node that Apple will use
One of the most striking aspects of the agreement is the chosen manufacturing technology. According to Kuo, Intel will produce Apple's chips using its most advanced node, the Intel 18A and its 18A-P variant., equivalent to a process of around 2 nanometersIt is the same lithography that the company will use in its upcoming Panther Lake family and future generations of Core Ultra processors.
To be able to design on this node, Apple would have already signed confidentiality agreements (NDAs) with Intel which give him access to preliminary versions of the process development kit, the well known Process Design Kit or PDK. Specifically, PDK 18A-P 0.9.1GA is mentioned, which Apple would have used to make Performance, consumption, and area (PPA) simulations that meet their expectations.
The roadmap anticipates that PDK versions 1.0 and 1.1 of 18A-P will arrive in the first quarter of 2026These iterations are what usually mark the step towards almost final designs, by including mature libraries, more precise electrical models and consolidated design rules, allowing engineers like those at Apple to finalize the last details of their SoCs.
Industry estimates suggest a potential volume of between 15 and 20 million M chips per year manufactured by Intel for Apple once production at 18A/18A-P is fully ramped up. This scale would be sufficient to cover a very significant portion of the demand for mid-range and entry-level laptops and tablets.
Beyond the numbers, let Intel handle production large volumes of third-party designed Arm chips This represents a significant shift for a company historically linked to x86. It's a clear step towards an open foundry model, where its business no longer revolves solely around its own processors.
Timeline: From the current M3 to the possible M6 and M7 made by Intel
To determine the timelines, it's helpful to look at the Apple Silicon release schedule. The M3 was launched in October 2023, The M4 arrived in May 2024 and everything points to what the M5 It will be unveiled around 2025. If Apple maintains this pace, it would be logical to see an M6 in 2026 or with a M7 between the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
It is precisely within this timeframe that Intel's role fits in. Ming-Chi Kuo argues that The first Apple Silicon units manufactured at Intel's plants could be phased out starting in the second quarter of 2027.provided there are no significant delays in either the development of the 18A/18A-P node or Apple's internal design timelines.
This timeline would allow the Cupertino company synchronize the arrival of the new chips with their usual renewal cycles of Mac and iPad. In the European market, that could translate to MacBook Air and some iPads released from late 2027 onwards They incorporate entry-level M processors designed by Apple but produced by Intel, presumably in factories located in the United States, such as Fab 52 in Arizona.
Meanwhile, some analysts are considering the possibility that Apple will introduce a MacBook model with a chip derived from the iPhone starting in 2026This move would reduce pressure on the basic M range, explain the possible contraction in the volume of orders for the entry-level M range, and reinforce the idea of ​​using Intel to absorb some of the demand.
Although neither company has publicly confirmed these plans, the alignment between Intel's 18A-P timings and Apple Silicon's roadmap It fits quite well with the scenario described by Kuo and other voices in the supply chain.
Why Apple wants a second supplier besides TSMC
So far, TSMC has been virtually the sole manufacturer of Apple's chipsFrom the A series for iPhone to the M series for Mac and iPad, this close relationship has yielded excellent results, but it also concentrates too much responsibility on a single player in a sector exposed to geopolitical tensions and bottlenecks.
Incorporating Intel as an alternative foundry allows Apple diversify your semiconductor supply chain without abandoning TSMC's experience and technical expertise. The idea is not to break with the Taiwanese company, but to divide the work according to the type of chip, the complexity of the design, and the priorities of each product range.
In practice, this mixed approach helps to reduce dependence on a single point of failure in a component as critical as the processor. In crisis scenarios—whether due to trade conflicts, natural disasters, or regional instability—having manufacturing capabilities in different geographical locations becomes a top-tier strategic advantage.
From the user's point of view in Spain or any European country, all this translates into something very tangible: less risk of stockouts and a more stable product supplyespecially during high-demand campaigns such as "back to school", Christmas or Black Friday, where the availability of MacBook and iPad is usually strained.
Furthermore, having two partners with advanced processes strengthens Apple's negotiating position. It remains to be seen whether this competitive pressure will be reflected in... more reasonable prices, or at least avoiding sharp increases linked to the shortage of chips, as has already happened in other sectors.
What Intel gains: a boost to its foundry business and a change in role
For Intel, getting Apple to entrust it with part of the production of its M chips is more than just adding a customer: it represents a huge endorsement of Intel Foundry Services, the division with which it aims to compete head-to-head with TSMC and Samsung in leading nodes.
In recent years, the Santa Clara company has had problems keeping pace in leading processesaccumulating delays compared to its Asian rivals. Reaching an agreement of this magnitude would imply demonstrating that its The Intel 18A/18A-P 2nm node lives up to the demands of a customer as demanding as Apple..
There is also a very powerful symbolic component: manufacture large-scale Apple Silicon chips based on Arm This places Intel in territory that was almost entirely foreign to it until recently. Although the design isn't theirs, operating as a foundry for architectures other than x86 reinforces their diversification strategy and their ambition to become a leading supplier for third parties.
If the collaboration works well, it is likely that other companies in the sector begin to take Intel more seriously for its upcoming advanced designs. Companies like Nvidia, AMD, or other custom chip developers—including European projects—could see the agreement with Apple as clear proof of Intel's ability to handle complex production on cutting-edge nodes.
In terms of image, going from being the supplier that Apple sidelined in 2020 to becoming one of the pillars of the manufacturing of their future generations of processors This would represent a major shift in the narrative surrounding Intel in the industry.
An agreement with political and geostrategic implications
Beyond the technical aspects, the potential agreement between Apple and Intel has a clear political dimension. The United States has been promoting the manufacture of advanced semiconductors within its own territory for years., supporting new factories with public funds and tax incentives for projects by companies like Intel.
For Apple, shifting a significant portion of its M-chip production to US plants allows it to align with Washington's technological reindustrialization agendaThe company can present this move as a commitment to "Made in USA," an argument that scores points with various administrations.
This factor weighs heavily in a context where Apple is subject to constant regulatory and political scrutinyBeing able to claim that a key part of the hardware in their products is manufactured on US soil gives them additional leverage in debates about regulation, tariffs, or potential trade restrictions.
Meanwhile Europe is trying to strengthen its own semiconductor industry through initiatives such as the European Chips Act. The fact that 2nm processes continue to be concentrated mainly in the United States and Asia highlights the challenge the EU faces in attracting truly cutting-edge node factories.
In this context, that the chips that end up inside the MacBook Air or iPad Pro sold in Spain The fact that they can leave an Intel plant in Arizona illustrates the extent to which The European consumer electronics value chain depends on industrial decisions made on other continents..
Impact on users in Spain and the rest of Europe
From the perspective of a user in Spain, all this reconfiguration may sound distant, but It has very specific consequences for the shopping experience.The availability of models like the MacBook Air or iPad Pro in large stores, authorized distributors and online stores is directly linked to Apple having a guaranteed stable supply of processors.
If Intel is able to supply without any problems the entry-level and mid-range M chipsIt's more likely that new releases will arrive with sufficient stock and that long waiting lists at key times will disappear. In universities, companies, and public administrations across Europe, this stability can make all the difference when planning equipment upgrades.
Price is another aspect to watch. It's still too early to know if Manufacturing some of the chips with Intel will actually lower unit costs for Apple.However, having two partners with advanced processes should strengthen its negotiating power. The final effect on the retail price will depend on how Apple decides to manage its margins and on the overall economic situation in Europe in the coming years.
It doesn't seem realistic to expect a drastic price drop simply by changing foundries, although it is reasonable to think that this strategy could help. avoid sharp price increases caused by semiconductor shortagesThis has already been seen in other sectors when production has not been able to keep up with demand.
In any case, the use of nodes such as Intel 18A and 18A-P ensures that European users will continue to have access to devices with notable improvements in performance and energy efficiency.Regardless of whether the silicon came from a TSMC wafer or an Intel plant, as long as Apple maintains its usual level of rigor.
Everything points to the planned agreement by which Intel will manufacture some of the future Apple Silicon chips for MacBook Air and iPad Pro starting in 2027. can discreetly reshape the global map of semiconductor manufacturing: Apple would gain room for maneuver and security in its supply chain, Intel would reinforce its commitment to founding leading nodes, and TSMC would retain its role in the most advanced range, while users in Spain and the rest of Europe would notice above all a more predictable supply of Macs and iPads, with fewer stock shocks and a price evolution less conditioned by production tensions.
