The possibility that Intel will produce some of the future iPhone chips. This is starting to take shape in supply chain reports. Several analyst notes suggest that Apple is already preparing the ground for the long-established processor manufacturer to assume a significant role in the production of its mobile SoCs in the coming years.
This shift would not imply changes in the design or philosophy of Apple Silicon, but it would in who physically manufactures the A-series chipsThe Cupertino company would maintain total control over architecture and development, while Intel would become a key piece of the industrial machinery currently dominated by TSMC.
From Macs and iPads to iPhones: Intel's leap to A-Series chips
According to the latest leaks from analysts such as Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff PuThe first step in the plan would involve Apple's range of computers and tablets. Intel would begin to manufacture Apple Silicon M-series chips for Mac and iPad around 2027, in entry-level and mid-range models, before making the leap to the iPhone.
Once that collaboration was established in the Mac and iPad market, reports indicate that iPhone SoCs would arrive on Intel's production schedule starting in 2028Specifically, we're talking about processors for the non-"Pro" models, that is, the more generalist variants of the iPhone family, where sales volume is especially high.
In the documentation distributed to investors, Pu refers to these chips as the "SoC for non-professional smartphones" from Apple. In practice, that would fit with the base A-series processor that each generation reserves for the standard iPhone and, presumably, for more affordable versions like the hypothetical "e" range.
Currently, the reference base chip is the A19 used in the iPhone 17which is also expected to be seen in a future iPhone 17e. The higher-end models are equipped with the A19 Pro, a more powerful variant that, according to analysts, will continue to rely on TSMC's advanced nodes for at least the next few years.
If the timelines predicted by the analysis firms are met, by 2028 the The standard iPhone and the possible "e" model could feature chips manufactured in Intel factories.While the iPhone Pro would continue to be linked to TSMC. This would be a division of tasks similar to that proposed for the different ranges of Macs and iPads.
Apple designs, Intel manufactures: how the roles would be divided
It is important to emphasize that this potential agreement does not change the essence of the Apple Silicon model. Apple would continue to design and develop all A-series chips in-house. for the iPhone, defining the architecture, the CPU and GPU units, the AI ​​modules, and the rest of the blocks that make up the SoC.
The novelty would be that, instead of entrusting production exclusively to TSMC, Apple would add Intel as its second major foundryIntel would operate as a pure manufacturing capability provider, without intervening in the design, in a TSMC currently plays to the company.
In this scenario, it is most likely that Intel handles the higher volume, lower relative complexity chipsTSMC, for its part, would retain the contracts for the most demanding processors in terms of performance and efficiency, both in the iPhone and the rest of the Apple range.
In other words, the user would still be buying an iPhone with an A-Series chip designed in Cupertino, but The silicon could come from an Intel plant or a TSMC factory. Depending on the model and generation, Apple would be responsible for standardizing specifications and ensuring a consistent experience regardless of the foundry.
For the company, having two partners of this caliber brings a additional room for maneuver when it comes to adjusting schedules, production volumes and costs, something especially sensitive in a product as massive as the iPhone in Europe, including Spain.
TSMC remains the main pillar, but shares the spotlight
Today, TSMC manufactures virtually all of Apple's chipsFrom the iPhone's A-Series SoCs to the Mac and iPad's M-Series, it's a long-standing relationship that has allowed Apple to leverage the most advanced manufacturing processes on the market year after year.
Reports about Intel's entry don't speak of a complete replacement, but rather a load sharing modelTSMC would continue to produce the most cutting-edge and critical chips, such as the processors for the iPhone Pro and high-end Mac configurations, where every performance improvement counts.
Meanwhile, Intel would assume a A significant portion of the volume is in segments where scale and production capacity are more important. to squeeze every last bit of performance out of them. That's where the standard iPhones fit in well, which usually account for a good portion of sales in markets like Spain.
This distribution allows Apple reduce dependence on a single supplier without relinquishing the technical advantages offered by TSMC in the most advanced nodes. For TSMC, the impact would be more noticeable in the distribution of orders than in an immediate loss of leadership.
Although most production will remain located in Asia and, in the case of Intel, primarily in the United States, Production will remain located in Asia And the effect is also felt in Europe, where device manufacturers and consumers directly suffer from any strain on the semiconductor supply chain.
Risks, geopolitics, and why Apple wants to diversify
A fundamental factor in this whole maneuver is the Concern over the concentration of chip production in TaiwanGeopolitical tensions, potential natural disasters, and logistical bottlenecks have highlighted the need for viable alternatives in key hubs.
For Apple, bringing Intel on board as a second manufacturing partner means better distribute the risksIf an incident were to affect TSMC, at least some iPhone chip production could continue at Intel's factories, and vice versa. This doesn't eliminate the underlying problem, but it does provide greater resilience.
This move also fits in with the United States' industrial strategy, which is decisively promoting the local manufacturing of advanced semiconductors. Intel is receiving significant public support to build and modernize plantsAnd attracting Apple as a star client would further reinforce the "made in USA" narrative in critical technology.
Europe is observing these steps from a distance, while it pushes forward with its own European Chips Act to strengthen manufacturing within the European UnionFor now, however, Apple's SoCs will continue to be manufactured in factories located outside the EU, highlighting the European challenge in attracting top-tier investment in advanced nodes.
For Spanish consumers, all these debates sound like high strategy, but they end up translating into very concrete issues: whether there will be enough iPhone stock at key launches and how prices will evolve if the chip supply remains stable and diversified.
What the user might notice in Spain and Europe
In practical terms, if Intel enters the picture for iPhone chips starting in 2028, the most likely visible effect will be a greater stability in model availabilityEspecially in standard product ranges. Campaigns such as back to school, Black Friday, or Christmas, where demand in Spain and the rest of Europe skyrockets, could be less likely to suffer stock shortages linked to a lack of silicon.
Another relevant aspect is the price. Although it's too early to know if The competition between TSMC and Intel in manufacturing Apple chips This will be passed on to the final retail price; in theory, having two strong suppliers allows Apple to negotiate better costs and deadlines, something that could help contain sharp price increases.
From a technical standpoint, Intel's entry shouldn't imply any reduction in product quality. Apple maintains high standards for its foundries, and Intel-manufactured SoCs would have to meet the same specifications and energy efficiency standards that are higher than those produced by TSMC.
In practice, a buyer in Spain will hardly know whether the chip in their future base iPhone came from an Intel or TSMC plant. What they will notice is that The phone maintains the trend of improvement in performance, battery life, and AI capabilities. that Apple has been promoting generation after generation.
With all this context on the table, the idea that Intel can produce the future iPhone chips It ceases to sound like an isolated experiment and becomes one more piece of a broader strategy: Apple gains room to maneuver in its supply chain, Intel reinforces its role as a reference foundry and TSMC maintains its leadership in the most advanced nodes, while users in Spain and Europe benefit from a more predictable iPhone supply and less exposed to surprises due to a lack of components.
