Insider Info: Trump Reveals Apple-Intel Chip Partnership

In a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, it was revealed that Apple and Intel had come to a preliminary agreement for the US-based chipmaker to produce Apple silicon for upcoming Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Despite numerous reliable inside sources confirming the news, including analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo, both Apple and Intel remained silent on the matter.

Speculations arose as to whether the silence was due to the agreement still being finalized or a strategic move not to overshadow the President of the United States. Last August, the US government had invested $8.9 billion in Intel, aiming to boost electronics manufacturing within the country. Hence, the collaboration between Apple and Intel could be seen as a significant outcome of this initiative.

Interestingly, it was President Donald Trump who indirectly disclosed the partnership in an early morning post on Truth Social, mentioning that “Apple has agreed to work with Intel to design and build its Chips in America.” This announcement led to a 10% increase in Intel’s shares, although no further details were provided at that time.

The Trump administration’s efforts to reduce US companies’ reliance on chip production from Taiwan, particularly from TSMC, a leading fabricator, have been ongoing. While skepticism exists regarding Intel’s ability to compete with TSMC, the partnership with Apple and the government’s investment could expedite their progress.

Initially, Intel is expected to manufacture Apple’s entry-level chips, such as the A-series and M-series without any high-tier suffixes. Analysts predict that the M7 chip for Apple’s late 2027 and early 2028 Mac models, along with an A21 or A22 chip for the 2028 iPhone lineup, could be the first products of this collaboration.

Although Intel is currently conducting trial runs for chip fabrication, mass production is anticipated to commence in 2027. Apple’s push for accelerated production involves validating Intel’s capabilities under real-world conditions and scaling up operations swiftly. This approach is crucial for meeting consumer demand efficiently.

While TSMC is slated to continue producing Apple’s “Pro” chips, including the A21 Pro and beyond, Intel has the opportunity to prepare for the base A21 chip, which may not be required until six months later. The potential inclusion of Apple’s N-series Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and C-series modem chips in the Intel deal adds another layer to this collaboration, especially considering Apple’s acquisition of Intel’s 5G modem business in 2019.

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