Intel’s Return to Apple Macs: 2027 Revival Expected
▼ Summary
– Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Intel may become Apple’s advanced-node chip supplier starting in 2027 based on recent industry surveys.
– Apple currently sources silicon chips for its devices from Taiwan-based TSMC, having previously missed an opportunity with Intel for the original iPhone.
– Apple has a non-disclosure agreement with Intel and is awaiting delivery of the PDK 1.0/1.1 kit in early 2026 to proceed with production plans.
– If timelines hold, Intel could begin shipping Apple’s lowest-end M-series processors using the 18AP advanced node in mid-to-late 2027.
– A deal with Intel could help Apple demonstrate commitment to US manufacturing and signal Intel’s recovery, potentially leading to more future orders.
A potential revival of the partnership between Apple and Intel is generating significant buzz, with industry insiders suggesting the tech giant may turn to the American chipmaker for future Mac processors. According to a recent analysis from supply chain expert Ming-Chi Kuo, shared on social media platform X, Intel’s prospects of becoming an “advanced-node supplier” for Apple have seen a notable upswing. This prediction stems from Kuo’s latest industry surveys, which indicate a marked improvement in the likelihood of such a collaboration.
This development carries considerable weight, especially when recalling that Intel was famously passed over for supplying the processor in the very first iPhone. Presently, Apple relies exclusively on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to fabricate the silicon chips that power its entire lineup of iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. A shift to incorporate Intel would represent a major strategic change in Apple’s supply chain.
Kuo’s report details that Apple has already entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Intel to gain access to its 18AP PDK 0.9.1GA chip technology. The next critical step is for Intel to deliver the finalized PDK 1.0/1.1 development kit, which is anticipated to arrive in the first quarter of 2026. Should this timeline hold and subsequent development proceed without major hiccups, Intel could potentially begin volume production of Apple’s most affordable M-series processors. These chips would be manufactured on Intel’s 18AP advanced node, with shipments possibly commencing in the second or third quarter of 2027.
Beyond the technical aspects, a partnership with Intel could serve a broader strategic purpose for Apple. Kuo posits that such a move would allow Apple to visibly demonstrate a commitment to “buying American” by incorporating a major US-based company into its supply chain. This could be a favorable signal to the current US administration. For Intel, securing a contract with a client of Apple’s caliber would be a powerful indicator that the company has moved beyond its most challenging period. Kuo suggests that success with the 18AP node could pave the way for Intel’s future 14A technology to secure even more business from Apple and other leading customers, fundamentally improving the company’s long-term outlook.
The central questions now are whether Apple will finalize a deal with Intel and what the implications would be if entry-level M-series chips were indeed powered by Intel’s 18AP processors.
(Source: The Verge)
