Apple and Intel are headed toward a big reunion, but not in the way anyone might have thought. After parting ways more than four years ago when Apple ditched Intel processors for its M-series chips, the two companies are reportedly working toward a foundry deal in which Intel could manufacture Apple’s next-generation Mac and iPad processors through 2027.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has quietly signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Intel to access its 18AP Process Design Kit (PDK), a cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing technology. The partnership will not make Intel Apple’s chip designer again, but rather a contract manufacturer that will produce Apple’s custom silicon with longtime partner TSMC.

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Intel expects to start shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processors in early 2027

There have long been rumors in the market that Intel could become an advanced-node foundry supplier for Apple, but there has been little visibility around it. However, my latest industry surveys indicate that-(Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) 28 November 2025

Apple eyes diversification from TSMC

According to Kuo’s report, Apple has already begun evaluating Intel’s 18AP 0.9.1GA PDK, which provides the company’s silicon engineers an initial framework for models and prototype designs for the entry-level M-series chip. This chip is expected to power future versions of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro.

Although this kit does not represent the final production process yet, it is close enough for Apple’s design team to start work quickly. Kuo says the next milestone will be the arrival of Intel’s PDK 1.0/1.1 in the first quarter of 2026. If the process meets Apple’s performance, power efficiency and density targets, the company will finalize production for its next M-series SoCs and begin mass manufacturing on Intel’s 18AP node in mid-to-late 2027.

Intel’s 18A family is based on its first 2-nanometer architecture, featuring RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors and PowerVia backside power delivery, designed to provide both performance gains and energy efficiency. The 18AP variant, which Apple is interested in, focuses on advanced packaging and performance optimizations.

For Apple, the move is part of a broader plan to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on a single foundry, especially amid global semiconductor tensions and calls for more US-based manufacturing. As Kuo explains, “Apple’s foundry diversification efforts align with the geopolitical environment and its long-term strategy to secure a stable, multi-source supply chain.”

Intel’s comeback story may depend on Apple

For Intel, the deal could represent a defining moment in its foundry revival plan. After years of manufacturing failures, Intel has been aggressively pushing to regain credibility as a top-tier chip fabricator through its Intel Foundry Services (IFS) business.

Kuo reports that Intel’s 18A yields are continuing to improve, with internal data suggesting a 7 percent monthly improvement as the company prepares for its upcoming client CPU series, Panther Lake. Executives have indicated that yields are now approaching previously high-volume nodes, once adjusted for die size.

Intel aims to turn its foundry division into loss-making by 2027, and securing a deal with Apple, one of the world’s most demanding chip customers, would be a major validation of that progress. It will also help Intel lure additional customers currently evaluating TSMC’s N2-class technologies. “Landing Apple as a flagship 18AP customer would be a strong proof point for Intel’s turnaround,” Kuo said. He said such a collaboration would signal that Intel is once again competitive at the bleeding edge of semiconductor design.

However, the final decision still depends on whether Intel can deliver on its ambitious roadmap. If PDK 1.0/1.1, scheduled for early 2026, fails to meet Apple’s strict performance, power and density requirements, the Cupertino company will likely stick with TSMC’s N2P process for its upcoming M-series chips.

For now, both companies are looking cautiously optimistic. Intel’s foundry ambitions are gaining momentum, and Apple, which always plans years ahead, may soon build a second manufacturing home for its custom silicon. If everything goes according to plan, Intel-made Apple chips could start shipping in MacBook Airs and iPads by 2027, marking a full-circle moment in one of tech’s most iconic partnerships.