Apple’s renewed chip partnership with Intel now looks more serious than a simple backup plan. After last week’s report about a new Apple and Intel agreement, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple has already started early production work on low-end and legacy processors for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Ming-Chi Kuo shared the update on X and said Apple has begun work on Intel’s 18A-P series, with Foveros packaging involved in the process.
“Apple has kicked off low-end/legacy iPhone, iPad, and Mac processors at Intel on the 18A-P series. The order mix is roughly 80% iPhone, mirroring Apple’s end-device sales mix.”
Apple is testing Intel across major product lines
The key detail here is not just that Intel has received Apple work. It is that Apple has started across iPhone, iPad, and Mac processors at the same time, which gives Intel a wider test case than a small symbolic order.
Kuo says Apple’s wafer plans point to small-scale testing in 2026, a ramp in 2027, continued growth in 2028, and a decline in 2029. That timeline suggests Apple is using Intel to validate a full production cycle, rather than rushing a quick shift away from TSMC.
TSMC still keeps the main Apple business
Kuo also makes clear that TSMC remains Apple’s main chip supplier, even if Intel’s early work goes well.
“Even if Intel’s initial shipments go smoothly, TSMC will still retain over 90% of supply share.”
That makes the Apple Intel chip deal more about risk control than immediate replacement. Apple still needs TSMC for its most advanced silicon, but it also needs another path as AI demand puts more pressure on advanced-node capacity.
For Intel, Apple gives its foundry business a rare chance to prove itself with one of the most demanding customers in consumer technology. For Apple, the deal adds bargaining power and supply flexibility at a time when chip capacity has become a strategic problem.
What’s not clear for readers not super chip savvy is what is 18A? Are we talking back to an Intel chip that wouldn’t be capable of running the newer Apple iOS or MacOS with AI or a better chip than silicon from TSMC. I know a lot of your reader may follow this closely, but just a line or two on that would be great for those of us trying to ramp up on this. That said, the article is MUCH appreciated to see the strategy behind the doors (and thus perhaps plan on whether to purchase another silicon chip Apple or wait).