What sounded impossible just a few years ago is beginning to take shape as a serious movement: Intel will once again be inside Macs and iPads, but in a completely different role.Instead of selling x86 processors as in the stage prior to Apple Silicon, the Santa Clara company would move on to manufacturing some of the future M chips designed by Apple.
Various supply chain reports, especially those from the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple has chosen Intel as its second manufacturing partner for the next generation of entry-level Apple Silicon. The focus would be on high-volume products like the MacBook Air and certain iPad Pro models, with a timeline that would see the first chips rolling off Intel's production lines starting in 2027.
A historic reunion between Apple and Intel
For more than a decade, Mac computers relied on Intel x86 processors, until in 2020 Apple completed the transition to Apple Silicon based on ARM architectureThat seemed to definitively close the door on Intel in Macs, but the latest leaks paint a picture in which both companies are working together again, this time in very different roles.
The key is that Intel will not design the chips or decide their internal architecture.All the design and engineering work for the SoCs will remain in the hands of Apple's teams, who will continue developing their own ARM variants optimized for macOS and iPadOS. Intel would act solely as a foundry, similar to what TSMC already does.
This implies that Future MacBook Air and iPad Pro models could feature Apple Silicon chips "manufactured by Intel"But without returning to the old problems associated with x86, such as higher power consumption or greater heat generation. They will be standard M-chips, with the same software ecosystem and current technological base, but produced on different manufacturing lines.
In markets like Spain and the rest of Europe, where the MacBook Air and iPad Pro have established themselves as very popular devices In education, professional settings, and home use, this potential agreement has direct implications for availability, pricing, and release schedules.
Which Apple chips would Intel manufacture and which product range would it focus on?
The reports agree that Intel would handle the entry-level variants of the next-generation M6 or M7 processors.In other words, the least powerful models within each family, intended for high-volume devices where the balance between cost, autonomy and sufficient performance for everyday use is paramount.
These chips would mainly reach MacBook Airsome iPad Pro and possibly iPad Airas well as basic desktop configurations that don't require maximum raw power. The more demanding versions—such as future M7 Pro, M7 Max, or M7 Ultra models for MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, or Mac Pro—would remain in TSMC's hands.
A clear division of roles is proposed: Intel would assume the bulk of the production of "basic" M chipsTSMC would retain the more complex and higher-performance models. This way, Apple could work with two foundries simultaneously, adjusting volumes and nodes as needed.
Some internal estimates mentioned in the reports point to a possible Intel manufactures a volume of between 15 and 20 million M chips per year.This figure would be enough to cover a good part of the global demand for mid-range and entry-level laptops and tablets, thus easing TSMC's burden in those segments.
The role of the Intel 18A node and the commitment to 2 nm
One of the most striking aspects of the agreement is the chosen manufacturing process. Intel would use its most advanced node, known as Intel 18A or 18A-P, equivalent to approximately 2 nanometers. It is the same process that the company intends to use to power its future generations of proprietary processors, such as the Panther Lake family.
According to leaked information, Apple has already signed confidentiality agreements to access a preliminary version of the 18A-P design kit (PDK)The stable version of that kit was expected by early 2026, which would give Cupertino engineers time to adapt their designs to the new node before entering mass production.
Working with such an advanced node would allow Apple maintain or even improve energy efficiency and performance of its entry-level M chips, without needing to reserve the 2nm process exclusively for TSMC's top-of-the-line models. In practice, users would benefit from cooler laptops and tablets, better battery life, and more stable sustained performance.
For Intel, getting Apple to trust its 18A process is also a way of publicly validate the maturity of its new generation of manufacturing, after years of delays and difficulties competing in the most advanced nodes against TSMC and Samsung.
Expected timeline: from the current M3s to the possible M7s made by Intel
The timing of the agreement is best understood by looking at the pace of Apple Silicon releases. The M3 chip arrived in October 2023, M4 was unveiled in May 2024 and analysts' forecasts place the M5 around the end of 2025Following that cadence, an M6 in 2026 and an M7 between the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028 would fit into the roadmap.
Ming-Chi Kuo places The first Apple Silicon chips manufactured by Intel will arrive as early as the second quarter of 2027.This window coincides with the usual schedule in which Apple typically introduces new generations of the M series in its Mac and iPad ranges.
If there are no delays in the deployment of node 18A or in the development of Apple's designs, the first entry-level MacBook Air or iPad with “made by Intel” chips They could go on sale at the end of 2027. In Europe and Spain they would arrive within the company's usual distribution cycles, presumably with similar availability to the rest of the major markets.
At the same time, reports also indicate that Apple is exploring the possibility of launching a MacBook with an iPhone chip starting in 2026.This could slightly reduce the order volume for the less powerful M-series chips. This would align with Intel's strategy of reserving some production for specific models and adjusting the product range based on actual demand.
Why Apple is looking for a second supplier besides TSMC
So far, TSMC has been Apple's exclusive chip manufacturing partnerFrom the A-Series for iPhones to the M-Series for Macs and iPads, this single-supplier model offers coordination advantages, but it also leaves Apple highly vulnerable to any problems affecting a single region or a single plant.
Intel's potential entry is part of a clear strategy: diversify the semiconductor supply chain and share risksThe goal is not to replace TSMC, but to complement it. The Taiwanese company would continue to handle the most demanding chips and the SoCs for iPhones, while Intel would add capacity in models where cost and volume are critical.
In a context of geopolitical tensions in Asia, logistical bottlenecks and increasing trade restrictions, Relying on a single foundry for a component as strategic as silicon is considered risky.Adding Intel as a second production partner allows Apple to react better to specific crises or regulatory changes.
For users in Spain and the rest of the European Union, this could translate into Fewer stockouts, more predictable releases, and a lower probability of sharp price increases due to a lack of chips, something that has already been experienced in other technology sectors and in the automotive industry.
What does Intel gain from this move?
For Intel, getting Apple to become a customer of its foundry business is much more than a simple contract. It is a direct endorsement of Intel Foundry Services as a real alternative in cutting-edge processes, an area where TSMC has so far comfortably dominated.
After several years of technological delays and problems competing in the smaller nodes, Getting Apple to invest in its Node 18A represents a show of force.It sends the market the signal that Intel has caught up and can handle the levels of technical and quality requirements that the Cupertino firm demands.
In addition, manufacturing ARM-based Apple Silicon chips It has an important symbolic component for Intel, historically focused on the x86 architecture. It demonstrates that the company is willing to open its foundry business to external designs of any architecture, something key if it wants to attract other major clients such as Nvidia, AMD or other custom chip designers, including potential European partners.
In terms of public image, going from being the company that Apple divested itself of in 2020 to becoming one of its key partners in 2027 would represent a radical change in the narrative surrounding Intel, both in the United States and in international markets.
Political and geostrategic dimension of the agreement
The potential Apple-Intel agreement also has a clear political interpretation. Intel is heavily promoting the manufacturing of advanced nodes in the United States.supported by public incentive programs and by Washington's interest in strengthening the country's technological autonomy.
For Apple, moving part of the production of its M chips to factories in the United States allows align with the reindustrialization agenda and the “Made in America” discourseBeing able to claim that a fundamental part of their products—the processors—is manufactured on American soil earns points with both the current administration and potential future governments.
Reports indicate that, at least in an initial phase, Production with node 18A would be concentrated at Intel's Fab 52 in ArizonaThis opens the door for Apple to use this data in its public messages as proof of its commitment to local manufacturing, something that could be especially sensitive if the political debate about where Big Tech products are manufactured is reignited.
Meanwhile, Europe observes these movements from the perspective of European Chips ActThe ambitious EU plan to strengthen the semiconductor industry in the EU. Apple's diversification of production, while still relying primarily on the US and Asia for its most advanced nodes, underscores the challenge the continent faces in attracting state-of-the-art factories in the short term.
TSMC remains relevant: division of functions, not a break-up
All analyses agree on one point: TSMC will remain Apple's primary partner for the most advanced chips.The processors destined for the MacBook Pro, Mac Studio, Mac Pro and future generations of iPhone will continue to be manufactured mostly in its plants, both in Taiwan and in other locations that the company is developing.
The idea is not to displace TSMC, but Distribute tasks according to the type of chip and its performance requirementsIntel would take over the entry-level M series and some of the volume models, where optimizing cost and ensuring sufficient capacity are key, while TSMC would continue to handle the more complex and higher-margin designs.
Some reports even suggest that The order volume for less powerful M-chips could decrease slightly. This is due to changes in Apple's product strategy, such as the potential arrival of laptops with iPhone chips. In other words, the market share between TSMC and Intel might not be static, but rather adjusted according to the needs of each product range.
In any case, Intel's entry introduces a new level of competence in the field of advanced manufacturingThis could translate in the long term into improvements in price, efficiency and innovation in manufacturing processes, with positive effects for the entire technological ecosystem, including European industry.
Impact for users in Spain and Europe
From the perspective of a user in Spain, this agreement may seem distant, but Its effects are noticeable in very specific matters.The availability of entry-level models like the MacBook Air or some iPads in physical stores, specialized chains, and official distributors depends directly on chip production capacity.
If Apple gets secure a second source of supply for their basic M processorsLaunches in Europe are more likely to maintain a stable volume, with fewer delays between announcement and market arrival. In key campaigns such as back-to-school, Black Friday, or Christmas, this stability can make all the difference for many shoppers.
In terms of prices, it is still too early to know if Manufacturing some of the chips with Intel will lower unit costs.But logic suggests that having two competitive suppliers improves Apple's negotiating position. It remains to be seen whether this advantage will remain within internal margins or translate into slight price adjustments for consumers in Spain and the rest of the EU.
Furthermore, the adoption of advanced nodes such as Intel 18A ensures that The equipment sold in Europe will continue to offer improvements in energy efficiency and performance.Regardless of which foundry manufactured the chip, what matters to the end user is that their Mac or iPad maintains the typical Apple Silicon experience, not whether the silicon came from a TSMC or Intel plant.
Looking at the whole picture, the possible agreement by which Intel will reportedly manufacture the chips for the upcoming MacBook Air and iPad Pro. It outlines a profound change in the way Apple organizes its supply chain: it gains room to maneuver by adding a top-tier US partner, strengthens its resilience to geopolitical tensions, maintains TSMC as a pillar in the most advanced segments, and offers European users a prospect of greater stability in stock and release schedule, while in the background the global map of semiconductor manufacturing is being reconfigured.
