Apple in talks with Intel and Samsung to produce chips for US devices
Apple has held early-stage talks with Intel and Samsung about producing the main processors for its devices in the US, according to Bloomberg.
The discussions include initial talks with Intel about enlisting its chipmaking services, as well as visits by Apple executives to the Samsung chip plant that’s being developed in Texas. The conversations with both companies remain preliminary and no agreements have been made so far, per the report.
The potential move would give Apple a secondary option beyond its long-standing reliance on TSMC, which has handled production of its main processors for more than a decade. Apple is exploring alternatives partly due to ongoing supply constraints amid strong demand for advanced chips tied to AI growth — constraints which have limited its ability to meet demand for iPhones and Macs, CEO Tim Cook said on last week’s earnings call.
Still, Apple has concerns about whether Intel and Samsung can can match TSMC’s manufacturing consistency and scale, and may not ultimately move forward with either partner, Bloomberg reports. Both companies currently trail the Taiwanese chipmaker in advanced chip manufacturing, with Intel still early in its foundry turnaround efforts and Samsung still a distant second to TSMC in the foundry market.
Intel, which had its best day since the 1980s a little over a week ago, rose nearly 4% in premarket trading Tuesday, while Apple was little changed and Samsung didn’t trade due to a market holiday in South Korea.
The potential move would give Apple a secondary option beyond its long-standing reliance on TSMC, which has handled production of its main processors for more than a decade. Apple is exploring alternatives partly due to ongoing supply constraints amid strong demand for advanced chips tied to AI growth — constraints which have limited its ability to meet demand for iPhones and Macs, CEO Tim Cook said on last week’s earnings call.
Still, Apple has concerns about whether Intel and Samsung can can match TSMC’s manufacturing consistency and scale, and may not ultimately move forward with either partner, Bloomberg reports. Both companies currently trail the Taiwanese chipmaker in advanced chip manufacturing, with Intel still early in its foundry turnaround efforts and Samsung still a distant second to TSMC in the foundry market.
Intel, which had its best day since the 1980s a little over a week ago, rose nearly 4% in premarket trading Tuesday, while Apple was little changed and Samsung didn’t trade due to a market holiday in South Korea.