Apple is diversifying its chip supply chain by exploring partnerships with Intel Foundry and Samsung Foundry, according to Bloomberg. The tech giant has traditionally relied on TSMC for all its custom silicon, including the A-Series chips in iPhones and M-Series processors in Macs and iPads. This marks a significant shift in Apple's manufacturing strategy as it seeks to reduce dependence on a single supplier.

Apple has been testing Intel's 18A-P process technology, using version 0.9.1 of the PDK with promising results across performance, density, and power metrics. The 18A-P node can deliver a 9% performance increase at the same power level or achieve 18% power savings at the same performance compared to Intel's standard 18A process. Intel's PDK version 1.0 is on track for the first half of 2026, potentially enabling production by 2027.

Apple plans to start with the lowest-end M-series chip, used in MacBook Air and iPad Pro devices. Beyond Intel, Samsung Foundry offers an alternative with its SF2 2nm designs, with Apple potentially using partner Amkor for packaging. For Intel-sourced designs, the company could leverage EMIB and Foveros 3D packaging technologies. This diversification would give Apple a more resilient supply chain and greater geopolitical stability by manufacturing more products in the United States.