What not so long ago sounded impossible is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality: Intel will once again have a presence in Macs and iPadsBut with a very different role than in the pre-Apple Silicon era. Instead of supplying x86 processors, the Santa Clara company would manufacture some of the chips designed by Apple for its upcoming MacBook Air and iPad Pro.
Various supply chain reports, led by the analyst Ming-Chi KuoThey point out that Apple has taken an important step towards commission Intel to produce the entry-level Apple Silicon processors Starting in 2027. This move would combine Apple's diversification strategy with Intel's ambition to relaunch its foundry business in the most advanced nodes on the market.
A reunion between Apple and Intel with very different roles
For more than a decade, Mac computers used Intel x86 processors, until Apple completed its transition to Apple Silicon based on Arm architectureThat transition seemed to definitively close the Intel era in Macs, but the latest leaks describe an unexpected return of Intel to Apple products, this time as a manufacturing partner and not as a design provider.
The key to change is that Intel will not participate in the design or architecture of the chipsAll design will remain the responsibility of Apple's teams, who will continue developing their custom Arm cores for macOS and iPadOS. Intel will act as a pure foundry—similar to TSMC—providing factories, processes, and production capacity, but without interfering in Apple's technical decisions.
This means that future MacBook Air and iPad Pro models will once again have chips physically manufactured by IntelHowever, they will still be true Apple Silicon. There will be no return to x86 or the old power consumption and temperature problems that plagued the final years of the previous era: they will be SoCs designed in Cupertino and produced on Intel's cutting-edge nodes.
The move is especially relevant in markets such as Spain and the rest of EuropeIn these regions, the MacBook Air and professional-grade iPads have become very popular choices for both home and educational/professional use. Apple's efforts to strengthen its chip supply chain could directly impact availability and pricing in these areas.
Which chips would Intel manufacture and with what 2nm technology?
Reports agree that the alliance would focus on the entry models of the future M6 or M7 familiesThat is, the basic variants of these processors, intended for high-volume devices such as the MacBook Air, certain iPad Pro models, or even some iPad Air and modest-range desktop computers.
In this scheme, the most ambitious ranges —Pro, Max and Ultra versions For MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro, production would continue to be handled by TSMC, which would retain the manufacturing of chips with the highest performance and complexity requirements. Intel would concentrate on areas where the balance between cost, production capacity, and energy efficiency is paramount.
One of the most striking aspects of the agreement is that Intel would use its Intel 18A manufacturing process, equivalent to a node of approximately 2 nanometersIt is the same process with which the company plans to power its next generations of its own processors, such as the Panther Lake family and future Core Ultra series.
To be able to design on this node, Apple would have already signed confidentiality agreements with Intel that give him early access to preliminary versions of development kit (PDK) of 18A. The stable version of that PDK is expected by early 2026, which would allow Cupertino engineers to fine-tune the design of the new M6 or M7 chips based on Intel's actual manufacturing process.
Internal supply chain estimates point to a potential volume of between 15 and 20 million M chips per year manufactured by Intel for Apple. This figure would be sufficient to cover a very significant portion of the demand for mid-range and entry-level laptops and tablets, relieving TSMC of that part of the production effort.
Expected timeline: from the current M3 to the potential Intel M6 and M7
To get an idea of ​​the timeline, just look at the pace of Apple Silicon releases: The M3 debuted in October 2023’s most emblematic landmarks, the M4 arrived in May 2024 And rumors place the arrival of the M5 around 2025. With this pace, it's not unreasonable to project a M6 by 2026 or with a M7 between the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.
It is precisely in that window that Intel's role fits. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the first Apple Silicon produced in Intel factories They could start going offline from the second quarter of 2027provided there are no significant delays in the development of node 18A or in Apple's design timelines.
This timeline would allow the Cupertino company to align the availability of the new chips with its usual Mac and iPad refresh cycles. In the case of the European market, this would mean that MacBook Air and certain iPads sold from late 2027 onwards They could integrate entry-level M processors designed by Apple but manufactured by Intel, probably in plants located in the United States.
Meanwhile, some analysts are considering the possibility that Apple will introduce a MacBook model with a chip derived from the iPhone Starting in 2026, this could reduce the total number of orders for entry-level M-series chips. Even so, having Intel as a second supplier would provide enough capacity to handle different product configurations without overwhelming TSMC.
At the moment, neither Apple nor Intel have made official statements, but the consistency between Intel's node timelines and Apple Silicon's cycle It fits well with the scenario described by Kuo and other industry observers.
Why Apple is looking for a second supplier besides TSMC
So far, TSMC has been the exclusive supplier of Apple's main chipsThis applies to both the A series for iPhone and the M series for Mac and iPad. This model has worked remarkably effectively, but it concentrates too much responsibility on a single player in a sector already subject to geopolitical tension and frequent bottlenecks.
Incorporating Intel as an alternative foundry would allow Apple diversify your semiconductor supply chain without abandoning TSMC's experience and technical expertise. The idea is not to replace the Taiwanese company, but to distribute the workload according to the type of chip and the level of complexity required.
In practice, this mixed approach would help to reduce Apple's reliance on a single point of failure in a component as critical as the processor. In crisis scenarios, whether due to trade tensions, natural disasters, or regional instability, having manufacturing capacity in different geographical locations becomes a key resilience factor.
For the average user in Spain or any other European country, that can be translated into fewer stockouts and a more stable product offeringespecially during high-demand campaigns such as "back to school", Christmas or Black Friday, where the availability of MacBook and iPad is usually strained.
Furthermore, having two partners competing for high-volume contracts gives Apple an advantage. greater room for maneuver to negotiate economic conditionsIt remains to be seen whether these potential savings will translate into lower final prices for the consumer or remain as additional profit margin for the company, something that will only become apparent over time.
What Intel gains: a boost to its foundry business and a change in role
For Intel, getting Apple to entrust part of its M chip production means a major endorsement for Intel Foundry Services, the division with which the company wants to compete head-to-head with TSMC and Samsung in contract manufacturing.
In recent years, Intel has had serious difficulties in maintain pace in leading nodesaccumulating delays compared to its Asian rivals. Securing an agreement with Apple on node 18A would demonstrate that it has regained competitiveness and that its 2nm process is ready for the level of demand required by a client of this caliber.
There is also a significant symbolic component: manufacture Apple Silicon chips based on Arm This means Intel will produce hardware based on an architecture other than x86, on which it has traditionally focused its entire business strategy. Even though the design isn't theirs, setting up factories for large volumes of Arm chips is a significant step in the company's diversification.
If the collaboration is consolidated, it is likely that Other companies in the sector are seriously considering Intel as a real option for their upcoming advanced designs. Companies like Nvidia, AMD, or custom chip developers—including European projects—could see this agreement as proof that Intel is capable of handling complex production on cutting-edge nodes.
In terms of public image, going from being the supplier Apple cut ties with in 2020 to becoming one of the pillars of the manufacturing of their new generations of processors This would represent a significant shift in the narrative surrounding Intel within the technology industry.
Political and geostrategic dimension of the alliance
Beyond the purely technological aspects, the potential agreement between Apple and Intel has a distinctly political dimension. In recent years, The United States has strongly promoted the manufacture of advanced semiconductors within its own territory., supporting projects such as Intel's new factories in Arizona and other states with public funds.
For Apple, moving a significant portion of its M-chip production to US plants allows it to align with the technological reindustrialization agenda which is being promoted from Washington. This decision can be presented as a sign of commitment to "Made in America," something that carries weight both in the internal political debate and in its relationship with future administrations.
That element is not insignificant considering that Apple is a frequent target of regulatory scrutiny and political pressure. To be able to argue that a key part of their products is manufactured on American soil It gives them one more card to play when discussing regulations, tariffs, or potential trade restrictions.
Meanwhile Europe is watching these movements While trying to bolster its own semiconductor industry through initiatives like the European Chips Act, the continued concentration of cutting-edge node production in the United States and Asia underscores the challenge the European Union faces in attracting truly leading process manufacturing facilities to its territory.
In this context, the fact that the chips that end up inside the MacBook Air or iPad Pro sold in Spain may come from an Intel plant in Arizona illustrates the extent to which The European consumer electronics value chain depends on industrial decisions made on other continents..
TSMC's role: continuity in the high-end market and sharing of responsibilities
The various analyses agree that TSMC will remain Apple's primary partner for the most advanced chips.The processors destined for MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, Mac Pro and, of course, the iPhone SoCs would continue to be produced on state-of-the-art nodes at the Taiwanese foundry.
Apple's strategy would involve Distribute responsibilities according to the required performance levelIntel would take over the entry-level M series, where the priority is the balance between efficiency, cost and volume; TSMC would keep the more demanding designs, both in computing capacity and component integration.
Some reports, in fact, suggest that The number of orders for low-end M-chips could even decrease Regarding current generations, if Apple decides to strengthen alternatives such as laptops based on iPhone-derived SoCs, this would mean that the real impact on TSMC's business would be limited, even with Intel entering the equation.
Even so, the emergence of a second reference manufacturer in Apple's plans introduces a new competitive factor in the field of advanced foundryIn the medium term, this could translate into cost improvements, process innovation, and greater pressure to optimize performance and schedules.
For businesses and consumers, even in markets geographically distant from factories—such as Spain or any other European country—, This competition usually leads to more efficient products. and in greater supply stability, although the effects on the final price always depend on multiple variables.
Impact on users in Spain and the rest of Europe
From the perspective of a user in Spain, this reconfiguration of alliances may sound distant, but It has very specific effects on the shopping experienceThe availability of models like the MacBook Air or iPad Pro in physical stores and authorized retailers depends heavily on Apple's ability to secure enough chips during periods of high demand.
If Intel manages to reliably supply the entry-level and mid-range M processorsIt is more likely that new releases will arrive with sufficient unit volumes, reducing waiting lists and stockouts during key campaigns. In environments such as European universities, businesses, or public administrations, this stability can make all the difference when planning equipment upgrades.
Price is another factor to consider. Although it's still too early to predict whether Manufacturing with Intel will mean lower unit costs for AppleHaving two partners with advanced processes should strengthen its negotiating position. The actual impact on the retail price will depend on how Apple decides to manage its margins and on the macroeconomic situation in Europe in the coming years.
No one expects a change in the foundry to revolutionize Mac and iPad prices overnight, but it can help avoid sharp increases linked to semiconductor shortages, as has been seen in other industries when chip production has failed to keep up with demand.
Finally, the use of processes like Intel 18A ensures that European users will continue to have access to devices with notable improvements in performance and efficiencyRegardless of whether the chips came from a TSMC wafer or an Intel plant, as long as Apple maintains its usual high standards, the change in foundry should be virtually seamless for the end user.
Everything points to the possible agreement by which Intel will manufacture the next Apple Silicon chips for MacBook Air and iPad Pro starting in 2027. It could discreetly reshape the semiconductor manufacturing landscape: Apple would gain margin and security in its supply chain, Intel would reinforce its commitment to founding leading nodes, and TSMC would maintain its role in the most advanced segment, while users in Spain and the rest of Europe would primarily notice a more predictable supply of Macs and iPads, with fewer stock shocks and price evolution less conditioned by production tensions.
