The Wildest Chip Partnership in Silicon Valley History

Intel has landed the most significant foundry customer imaginable: Apple. Reports from 9to5Mac and MacRumors confirm that Apple and Intel have struck a preliminary agreement for Intel Foundry to manufacture chips based on Apple's own designs, using Intel's 18A-P process and Foveros 3D packaging technology. This isn't a roadmap ambition — production testing is already underway in 2026, with volume ramp scheduled for 2027.

Let that land for a second. The two companies that built the PC industry together, then spectacularly broke up in 2020 when Apple switched to its own ARM-based silicon, are now in a manufacturing relationship. The irony is perfect: Apple is using Intel's fab, not Intel's chip designs.

Logic Transistor Density by Process Node (MTr/mm²)

Why Intel 18A Is Actually Ready

Apple Chip Production: Intel Foundry Share Forecast (% of units)

...