WatcherGuru
Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary agreement for Intel to manufacture chips that go inside Apple devices, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The companies have not disclosed which products are covered.
Why it matters
The deal is a vote of confidence in Intel's foundry business from the most demanding customer in consumer silicon — and it lands roughly a year into CEO Lip-Bu Tan's push to revive the company after years of foundry share loss to TSMC. US officials had also pushed major tech companies to source from Intel, following Washington's 10% equity stake in the chipmaker under the federal CHIPS-era framework.
Market impact
Even a modest initial allocation would mark Intel's most significant foundry win since Tan took over, anchoring a customer reference the foundry can take into future pitches. For Apple, the move continues a deliberate multi-vendor strategy that began when it shifted Mac CPUs away from Intel in 2020 — adding a US-domiciled fab alongside TSMC diversifies geopolitical supply-chain risk without ceding the leading-edge node. Watch for Intel's investor day commentary and any Apple product-line disclosures that name the parts.
Frequently asked questions
-
What did Apple and Intel agree to?
Apple and Intel reached a preliminary deal for Intel to manufacture chips used in Apple devices, the Wall Street Journal reported. Neither company has disclosed which products are covered.
-
Why is this deal important for Intel's foundry business?
It marks Intel's most significant foundry win under CEO Lip-Bu Tan and provides a marquee customer reference the foundry arm can take into future pitches after years of share loss to TSMC.
-
Why is the US government involved in Apple's chip sourcing?
US officials pushed major tech companies to source from Intel after Washington took a 10% equity stake in the chipmaker, framing domestic fabrication as a strategic priority.
-
Does this change Apple's existing chip supplier relationship?
The deal extends Apple's multi-vendor manufacturing strategy that began when it moved Macs off Intel silicon in 2020. TSMC remains a partner; Intel adds a US-domiciled second source.
-
Who is Lip-Bu Tan and why is he central to this story?
Lip-Bu Tan is Intel's CEO, leading the company's turnaround. The Apple deal is the highest-profile foundry win under his tenure and a key validation of his strategy.
WuBlockchain
CryptoSlate
CoinDesk
TheBlock
CoinTelegraph
Crypto News