Apple May Return to Intel to Build Entry-Level M-Series Chips by 2027
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A Surprising Shift in Apple’s Silicon Strategy
New industry whispers suggest Apple may once again tap
Intel—its former Mac processor supplier—to manufacture the company’s next
generation of entry-level M-series chips by 2027. According to early
supply-chain intel, Intel has already begun collaborating with Apple under a
strict non-disclosure agreement and is working with the company’s 18AP process
development kit.
If accurate, this would represent a notable twist in Apple’s
post-Intel era, considering the tech giant transitioned entirely to its
in-house M-series chips in 2020.
Intel Positioned to Produce Apple’s Lower-Tier M-Series SoCs
Supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared on X (formerly
Twitter) that Intel is preparing to enter mass production of Apple’s most
affordable M-series processors in 2027. These chips typically power high-volume
devices such as the MacBook Air and entry-level iPads, which sit
at the heart of Apple’s mainstream offerings.
Kuo notes that Intel is currently refining the 18AP
manufacturing node—one of its upcoming advanced processes—with PDK versions 1.0
and 1.1 expected to be completed by early 2026. The collaboration could
reportedly result in Intel supplying 15–20 million chips annually once
production ramps up.
Intel expected to begin shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processor as early as 2027
— éƒæ˜ŽéŒ¤ (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) November 28, 2025
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…
What This Means for Apple and the Chipmaking Landscape
Should Apple diversify its silicon production in this way,
it would mark a rare reversal in its break from Intel, while also signaling a
strategic shift away from total reliance on TSMC. Today, TSMC manufactures all
of Apple’s M-series, A-series, and other custom silicon.
For Intel, winning any piece of Apple’s business would be a
significant milestone as it builds out its foundry operations to compete
head-to-head with TSMC and Samsung. The 18AP node is expected to be central to
that strategy, with mass production tentatively slated for mid-to-late 2027.
Looking Ahead
If the reported partnership holds true, it could reshape both Apple’s supply chain and Intel’s standing in the global foundry market. It may also signal Apple’s growing interest in diversifying chip suppliers—an increasingly important factor in a volatile global semiconductor landscape.
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