---
title: "Apple Eyes Intel Comeback for M-Series Chip Production by 2027"
date: 2025-11-28
author: "Sofia Ramirez"
featured_image: "https://sqmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/apple-may-hire-intel-for-new-m-series-chip-production.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Technology"
    url: "/technology.md"
tags:
  - name: "News"
    url: "/tag/news.md"
---

# Apple Eyes Intel Comeback for M-Series Chip Production by 2027

Apple is preparing to shift part of its chip production back to Intel, marking a significant pivot in its supply chain strategy.

## Quick Summary – TLDR:

- Apple is expected to partner with Intel to manufacture entry-level M-series chips starting in mid-2027
- This move aims to diversify production currently dominated by TSMC and mitigate geopolitical risks
- Chips will use Intel’s 18A process, a major technological leap in chip manufacturing
- The partnership supports US manufacturing goals and offers Apple leverage in future supply negotiations

## What Happened?

Apple is reportedly set to reintroduce Intel into its processor manufacturing lineup by 2027. According to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Intel will produce Apple’s **entry-level M-series chips** using its advanced **18A process node**, designed to rival sub-2nm technologies. This marks a return to collaboration years after Apple’s complete transition to its own Apple Silicon, manufactured exclusively by TSMC.

> Intel expected to begin shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processor as early as 2027  
>   
> There have long been market rumors that Intel could become an advanced-node foundry supplier to Apple, but visibility around this had remained low. My latest industry surveys, however, indicate that…
> 
> — 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) [November 28, 2025](https://twitter.com/mingchikuo/status/1994422001952555318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 ## Apple Taps Intel to Reinforce Supply Chain

After parting ways with **Intel’s x86 processors** in 2020, Apple embraced TSMC as its sole chip fabricator. But the landscape is shifting. By 2027, [Apple](https://sqmagazine.co.uk/apple-statistics/) plans to diversify manufacturing of its standard M-series chips across both Intel and TSMC. Intel will handle **lower-end chips**, such as those used in the **MacBook Air, iPad Air, and base iPad Pro models**, while TSMC continues producing **Pro, Max, and Ultra variants** as well as A-series chips for iPhones.

This partnership reflects Apple’s **evolving supply strategy**:

- Intel will not design the chips but will act strictly as a manufacturing partner.
- Apple retains full control over the design of its **ARM-based M-series chips**.
- The chips are expected to be branded under the **M6 or M7 lineup**, manufactured starting in **Q2 or Q3 of 2027**.
- Initial volumes could reach **15 to 20 million units**, primarily for entry-level devices.

## Intel’s 18A Process: The Technical Edge

Intel’s **18A process**, revealed during its Direct Connect 2025 event, brings cutting-edge innovations to semiconductor fabrication. The process introduces **Foveros Direct 3D hybrid bonding**, enabling **vertical chip stacking** for improved density and performance. The **less-than-5-micron bonding pitch** allows greater efficiency within the same chip footprint, aligning with Apple’s emphasis on **performance-per-watt and battery life**.

Notably, Apple has already acquired Intel’s **18AP PDK 0.9.1GA** under a strict NDA, indicating serious technical due diligence and commitment. The company is now awaiting **PDK versions 1.0 and 1.1**, expected by early 2026, before proceeding to mass production in 2027.

## Strategic and Geopolitical Motives

Apple’s decision is not just about technology, it’s about **managing global risks and policy pressures**. With the US government encouraging domestic chip production via the **CHIPS Act**, Intel’s US-based foundry operations offer Apple a powerful narrative and practical advantage.

Analyst Kuo notes this move could satisfy the **“Made in America”** agenda and reduce reliance on TSMC amid **[US-China trade tensions](https://sqmagazine.co.uk/apple-antitrust-china-app-store/)**. Although the deal’s volume will be small compared to TSMC’s output, it serves an important role in Apple’s larger geopolitical strategy.

## SQMagazine Takeaway

In my experience following Apple’s hardware evolution, this kind of calculated partnership is exactly how Apple stays ahead. They’re not ditching TSMC, they’re adding a second strong leg to stand on. By pulling Intel back in for manufacturing, not design, Apple gets the **production capacity and geographic diversity** it needs without sacrificing control or quality.

It’s a strategic play, not a sentimental one. And if Intel can meet Apple’s demanding standards, this deal could mark the beginning of a new era in **domestic chip manufacturing**. I’ll be watching closely to see how this affects pricing, product availability, and future chip innovation.