Last week Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Intel was likely to start producing Apple’s M-series chips for Mac and iPad in 2027. Now a separate analyst has corroborated the report, and added that Intel-made iPhone chips will likely come shortly thereafter.
Intel expected to produce A-series chips for iPhone starting in 2028
Apple currently relies heavily on Taiwan-based company TSMC to mass-produce chips for iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Based on a report last week, Apple is looking to bring Intel on board as a new partner in 2027 for the base M-series chips. If Apple continues its typical release patterns, the first Intel-produced chip could be the M7.
Now analyst Jeff Pu, in addition to corroborating Kuo’s report, has added that the Apple-Intel partnership may be even greater.
In a research note seen by 9to5Mac, Pu says that Apple’s “non-pro smartphone SoC” could be Intel-produced starting in 2028.
It’s anyone’s guess what Apple’s iPhone lineup will look like at that point. But currently, the company’s base A19 chip is exclusive to the iPhone 17. It’s expected to be part of the forthcoming iPhone 17e too. All other flagship iPhone models have the A19 Pro chip, which presumably would continue being TSMC-produced.
We’re still years away from Intel-made iPhone chips, but when 2028 does come, it sounds like the base model iPhone and the ‘e’ model could have Intel-produced chips.
To be clear, Apple will still develop and design iPhone chips in-house. But instead of having TSMC manufacture those chips, Intel would be a new key partner for Apple.
What do you think of Apple’s reported growing relationship with Intel for its chips? Let us know in the comments.
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