Analyst Jeff Pu reaffirms Apple is partnering with Intel to manufacture future iPhone chips, starting with non-Pro models in 2028. This marks a significant shift from Apple's exclusive reliance on TSMC, though Apple will continue designing its own processors. Intel's 14A process, a 1.4nm-class technology, is key to this deal.

This move diversifies Apple's supply chain, reducing dependency on a single foundry. Intel gains a major external customer, validating its foundry ambitions. The arrangement doesn't signal a return to Intel-designed chips; Apple retains full control over architecture. It's a manufacturing partnership, not a design reversal.

Industry watchers like Ming-Chi Kuo also suggest Intel could produce Apple's base M7 chips for lower-end iPads and Macs by 2027. For consumers, this could mean more stable supply and potentially new performance tiers. The tech industry will watch closely if this dual-sourcing model becomes a new standard for high-volume chip production.