Apple and Intel might be on the verge of closing one of the most symbolic industry reconciliations in the tech sector. According to The Wall Street Journal, reported by Reuters, both companies have reached a preliminary agreement for Intel to manufacture some chips intended for Apple devices. The pact does not yet confirm which processors or specific products will be included, but it opens a door that just a few years ago seemed unthinkable: Apple could once again depend on Intel, though this time not as a provider of x86 CPUs for Macs but as an external manufacturer of chips designed by Apple itself.
This move aligns with an increasingly visible pressure within the global semiconductor supply chain. Apple has relied almost entirely on TSMC to produce its most advanced chips, from the A-series for iPhone to the M-series for Mac and iPad. That relationship has been a cornerstone of Apple Silicon’s success, but it also concentrates too much risk on a single supplier, especially at a time when demand for advanced capacity is soaring due to artificial intelligence, NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom, and other major clients.
All available information calls for caution. Some leaks point to the possible A21 as a candidate and the upcoming MacBook Neo as one of the benefited products, but neither Reuters nor The Wall Street Journal have officially identified the chip or device. This means that discussions about the A21 or a next-generation MacBook Neo manufactured by Intel remain hypotheses, not confirmed facts. What seems clear is the core of the operation: Apple wants to diversify manufacturing, and Intel needs to prove that its foundry business can attract top-tier clients.
Intel becomes relevant to Apple again, but in a different role
The relationship between Apple and Intel appeared closed after the transition to Apple Silicon. Between 2020 and 2023, Apple progressively replaced Intel processors in its Macs with custom ARM-based chips manufactured by TSMC. That transition was a blow to Intel and a display of strength for Apple: better performance per watt, tighter hardware-software integration, and a more differentiated Mac lineup compared to traditional PCs.
The potential agreement now completely changes the framework. Intel would not return, at least based on what is currently known, as the designer of Apple’s main chips. Instead, it would act as a foundry. That is, Apple would retain control over the design and utilize Intel’s manufacturing facilities to produce some of those chips. This difference is fundamental. Apple wouldn’t be going back to x86 but seeking an alternative manufacturing path for its own processors.
For Intel, the reputational impact would be enormous. Its Intel Foundry division has been trying for years to convince the market that it can compete with TSMC and Samsung as a third-party manufacturer. Securing a client like Apple would be a trust signal difficult to match. The Verge notes that Apple has been exploring manufacturing options in the U.S., and previous reports already suggested talks with Intel and Samsung to reduce dependence on TSMC.
The political context also weighs heavily. the U.S. aims to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on Asia, especially Taiwan. Having Apple produce some of its chips in Intel facilities would align with this strategy, though details such as process nodes, volumes, costs, schedules, and manufacturing performance still need to be clarified.
The MacBook Neo and the pressure on entry-level chips
The MacBook Neo adds an interesting layer to the story. Apple already sells this laptop equipped with the A18 Pro chip, the same type of silicon derived from the iPhone family. Apple’s official specs in Spain show an A18 Pro with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 8 GB of unified memory, and 60 GB/s memory bandwidth.
This product makes sense within Apple’s strategy: offering a more affordable Mac portable using a highly efficient chip, already amortized and produced at scale. But it also creates evident tension. If Apple uses iPhone-family chips in entry-level portables and simultaneously requires millions of chips for iPhone, iPad, and other devices, TSMC’s capacity becomes even more critical.
This is where Intel could step in as an industrial partner. Not necessarily to produce the most advanced or voluminous chips from day one but to absorb part of the demand in specific segments, entry-level products, auxiliary chips, or future designs where Apple can balance cost, availability, and geopolitical risk.
The hypothesis of an A21 manufactured by Intel is appealing because it would fit a future MacBook Neo generation and a diversification strategy. However, no public confirmation exists yet. Macworld emphasizes that details are scarce and that available information only speaks of a preliminary agreement to produce “some chips,” without specifying families.
TSMC remains central, even as Apple seeks alternatives
This possible agreement should not be interpreted as a rupture between Apple and TSMC. That would be unrealistic. TSMC remains the most advanced and reliable manufacturer for many of Apple’s high-value chips. The Taiwanese company has been key to helping Apple maintain an edge in efficiency and performance over direct competitors.
What this news indicates is that even Apple, with its substantial purchasing power, does not want to rely solely on one supply chain. AI demand is stressing the capacity of advanced nodes. Geopolitical risks around Taiwan persist. And the pressure from governments like the U.S. to reshore parts of chip manufacturing is increasing.
For Intel, the challenge will be demonstrating that its processes can meet Apple’s standards. Manufacturing chips for Apple is not only about having a factory available; it requires performance per wafer, energy efficiency, density, quality, packaging capacity, deadline adherence, and a close engineering relationship. Apple typically does not tolerate significant deviations in power consumption, autonomy, or performance.
If Intel manages to overcome this barrier, the agreement could become a showcase to attract other clients. If Apple entrusts part of its production to Intel, other manufacturers might reconsider American foundries as a viable alternative to TSMC and Samsung. Otherwise, the announcement would remain more of a political and industrial signal than a profound industry shift.
A defensive move for Apple and an existential one for Intel
For Apple, the agreement would be primarily defensive. It does not need Intel to design better chips but may require more capacity, resilience, and options. In a market where chips have become strategic infrastructure, having a second advanced supplier can be as valuable as a punctual performance boost.
For Intel, the matter is almost existential. Its traditional CPU business has lost some of its luster compared to AMD, Arm, and Apple Silicon. Its ambition as a foundry needs relevant external clients. And Apple is arguably the most trusted name that could lend credibility to the market if the deal truly materializes.
The paradox is evident. Apple left Intel to control its own destiny in Macs. Now, it might return to Intel to strengthen that very control but from the manufacturing side. This isn’t a return to the past but a sign of how industries are evolving: designing good chips is no longer enough if you cannot guarantee manufacturing capacity.
The AI race has made every advanced wafer crucial. Demand for accelerators, memory, CPUs, mobile chips, and custom processors is forcing tech giants to think like industrial companies, not only as software and device designers. Apple is no exception.
If the agreement between Apple and Intel advances, it will impact not only upcoming MacBook Neo, iPhones, or A-chips. It will also serve as a test for the entire industry: if Intel can manufacture for Apple, its foundry business will gain credibility it has sought for years. And if Apple manages to diversify without losing efficiency, it will have taken an important step toward safeguarding its supply chain amid an increasingly uncertain decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Apple return to using Intel x86 processors in Macs?
There are no indications of that. The agreement reported by various outlets suggests Intel would manufacture chips designed by Apple, not that Apple would revert to using Intel x86 CPUs in its Macs.
Is it confirmed that Intel will manufacture the A21 chip?
No. Some reports consider it a possibility, but Reuters and The Wall Street Journal have not confirmed specific chips Intel would produce for Apple.
Why is Apple seeking an alternative manufacturer besides TSMC?
To reduce dependence, increase manufacturing capacity, and protect against bottlenecks caused by AI demand and geopolitical tensions.
What does Intel gain from this agreement?
Gaining credibility for Intel Foundry. Having Apple as a customer would be a highly compelling signal to attract additional advanced manufacturing contracts.