Apple is reportedly in early-stage talks with Intel and Samsung about building main device processors, seeking to reduce its reliance on TSMC. The iPhone maker recently visited a Samsung chip plant in Texas, though no orders have been placed. This comes after CEO Tim Cook expressed concerns about supply chain flexibility during last week's earnings call, highlighting Apple's discomfort with having a single supplier.

Apple's dependence on TSMC has grown over the past decade for processors in iPhones, iPads, and Macs. The company faces risks from Taiwan's geopolitical tensions and the ongoing chip shortage that's diverting manufacturing resources toward AI products. TSMC's Arizona facility will produce 100 million SoCs in the US by 2026, but that represents only a fraction of Apple's needs—they shipped 247.4 million iPhones alone in 2025.

Currently, Intel and Samsung lag behind TSMC in processor technology. Apple is said to be considering Intel's upcoming 14A process for 2028 non-Pro iPhones. Samsung recently claimed first with a 2nm mobile chip, though both companies have struggled with efficiency and yield issues. The Trump administration's $8.9 billion investment in Intel could potentially influence these supply chain discussions.