A new research note indicates that Intel could begin manufacturing apple iphone chips starting in 2028, marking a major shift in Apple’s long term silicon strategy. The information comes from analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities, who said he and his colleagues now expect Intel to reach a supply agreement with Apple for at least some non pro iPhone chips. The note was obtained by MacRumors and outlines the first realistic timeline for Intel’s return to Apple’s hardware ecosystem.
According to the report, Intel would fabricate future iPhone chips using its upcoming 14A process, a node that Intel plans to introduce in the next phase of its semiconductor roadmap. Apple would continue to design all iPhone processors internally, meaning Intel’s role would be strictly limited to manufacturing and not design or architecture. TSMC would remain Apple’s primary chipmaking partner.
How Intel may support the next apple iphone generation
Based on the timing in Pu’s note, Intel could begin supplying Apple with the A22 chip, which is expected to power devices like the iPhone 20 and iPhone 20e around the 2028 cycle. These would be non pro models, while Pro and Pro Max devices are likely to continue using chips manufactured at TSMC’s most advanced nodes.
The move reflects Apple’s ongoing effort to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependency on a single chip manufacturer. A second major partner for fabrication could give Apple more flexibility during high demand cycles and geopolitical disruptions that affect semiconductor output.
This development would also represent Intel’s most meaningful manufacturing engagement with Apple since the era of Intel based Macs. In those years, Intel supplied x86 processors designed in house. Under the new model, Intel would instead fabricate Apple designed Arm based silicon. This aligns with Intel’s wider strategy to expand its foundry services and compete directly with TSMC and Samsung in the contract chipmaking space.
Additional signs of Intel entering the apple iphone and Apple Silicon supply chain
The note from Jeff Pu follows an earlier prediction from analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who said Intel could begin shipping Apple’s lowest end M series chip for select Mac and iPad models as soon as mid 2027. Kuo reported that this chip would be made using Intel’s 18A process, which Intel describes as the company’s earliest available sub 2nm advanced node manufactured in North America.
If both analysts are correct, Apple would gain two separate Intel support channels by 2027 and 2028. Intel would handle lower end Mac and iPad chips first, followed by select apple iphone chips the next year. Neither analyst expects Intel to take over a majority share from TSMC, but they both highlight Apple’s interest in securing long term manufacturing redundancy.
Intel previously supplied cellular modems for the iPhone 7 through iPhone 11 lineup, before Apple shifted fully to Qualcomm hardware. That history shows Apple’s willingness to collaborate with Intel when the technology fits its device roadmap.
Conclusion
The latest research note suggests that Intel could return to Apple’s supply chain in a new and expanded role, manufacturing Apple designed chips for the apple iphone starting in 2028. With Intel also expected to produce future M series chips, Apple appears to be moving toward a diversified semiconductor strategy that reduces risk, increases capacity and builds more North American manufacturing support into its long term plans.
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