Apple is exploring whether to loosen TSMC’s exclusive grip on its core processor production. According to the report, the company has opened preliminary discussions with Intel and Samsung Electronics about the possibility of having future A-series chips for iPhone and M-series chips for Mac and iPad manufactured outside TSMC. At this point, the talks remain at a very early stage.
Apple inspects Samsung’s Texas site and opens early contact with Intel Foundry
Sources said Apple executives have visited Samsung’s advanced fabrication project in Taylor, Texas. The facility is seen as a major part of Samsung’s push to win 2nm and 3nm logic chip orders. Apple has also started early discussions with Intel Foundry Services, a notable development for Intel as it tries to rebuild its contract manufacturing business.
No formal orders have been placed. The report said Apple still has concerns about the stability and yield of non-TSMC manufacturing, leaving the outcome uncertain for now.
AI-driven capacity pressure and geopolitics are behind the review
Apple’s move points to a supply-chain de-risking effort. Demand for advanced nodes has surged with the rise of generative AI, and companies such as Nvidia are competing for TSMC’s 2nm and 3nm capacity. Apple is concerned that relying too heavily on a single foundry could limit shipments of key products such as the iPhone if capacity tightens.
There is also a broader push to diversify suppliers. Geopolitical tension and instability across global supply chains have made dependence on one manufacturing partner harder to justify. Producing chips at Intel or Samsung facilities in the US could also help Apple reduce transport risk and benefit from policy support and subsidies tied to the US CHIPS Act.
TSMC’s lead in yield and scale remains the main obstacle
Even with Intel and Samsung racing to catch up, the industry still broadly views TSMC as ahead in yield, production scale and process execution at advanced nodes. For Apple, any change in foundry partner that affects chip performance or supply consistency would carry high stakes for its flagship hardware lineup.
The report added that Apple’s outreach may also serve as a negotiating tactic aimed at securing better pricing or priority access from TSMC. Based on the information available, though, Apple has only begun evaluating alternatives, and whether TSMC will actually lose its exclusive status remains unresolved.