Apple and Intel reach preliminary US chipmaking deal
May 9, 2026
The Wall Street Journal reported on 8 May 2026 that Apple and Intel reached a preliminary deal under which Intel would manufacture processors for Apple devices. Intel shares closed up 14 percent.
Apple and Intel move closer again after years of distance
On Friday, 8 May 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple and Intel had reached a preliminary deal for Intel to manufacture future Apple chips. Both companies declined to comment officially. WSJ's sources say talks have been running for more than a year, with a preliminary agreement reached in recent months.
What the preliminary deal actually means
Until now, TSMC in Taiwan has been the sole producer of Apple Silicon processors for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro. The new agreement would add Intel as a second source, presumably from its Arizona and/or Ohio fabs under Lip-Bu Tan's foundry strategy. According to WSJ, which Apple products are affected has not been disclosed.
Market reaction on 8 May 2026
Intel shares jumped about 14 percent on Friday; Apple added roughly 2 percent. Intel already had a record month in April and is up more than 200 percent in 2026, carried by hopes of a US chipmaking revival.
Background: diversification away from TSMC
Apple has signaled for years that it wants to reduce dependence on a single foundry. Geopolitical tensions around Taiwan and the AI-driven run on TSMC capacity have only added pressure.
Why this matters
The Apple–Intel deal is more than a supplier switch. TSMC is by far the most important foundry in the world; its 3-nanometer and 2-nanometer lines are booked out for months thanks to AI chips from NVIDIA, AMD and Apple itself. A second source in the US would make the supply chain more robust, could stabilize prices and reinforces Washington's industrial policy under the CHIPS Act. For AI watchers, the relevant point is that Intel could finally build real foundry volume, which over time would give players like OpenAI, Anthropic and European GPU startups additional options beyond TSMC and Samsung.
In plain language
Imagine a bakery has had every single bread roll baked in one giant bakery overseas for years. That bakery is the best in the world, but it is always full, and the route there is becoming risky. Now the bakery agrees to additionally have some of its rolls baked at a bakery in its own country. That one is not quite as good yet, but it is closer, safer and politically welcome. That is exactly what Apple and Intel are doing.
A practical example
A German mid-market electronics firm that integrates Apple processors into premium industrial cameras plans with 9- to 14-month lead times. With two foundries in the back, the company can split the processor allocation between TSMC and Intel for a 2027 product refresh. If one foundry hits a problem, the risk of total outage drops. Procurement managers should check future Apple order forms for the wafer-source field, because certain sensitive applications already require Made-in-USA clauses.
Scope and limits
According to WSJ, the deal is preliminary. Neither the exact process node (for example Intel 18A or 14A) nor planned volumes are public. Apple and Intel have not officially confirmed whether or when production will actually take place. Intel's earlier attempts at external foundry customers have at times failed. Investors trading purely off the share-price move should keep that in mind. The deal becomes operationally relevant only when both companies disclose start of production, process node and product families.
SEO and GEO keywords
Apple, Intel, TSMC, Apple Silicon, foundry, Intel 18A, CHIPS Act, US semiconductors, AI chips, supply chain, Lip-Bu Tan, Taiwan, 2026
💡 In plain English
Until now Apple has had its chips made only by TSMC in Taiwan. According to the Wall Street Journal, on 8 May 2026 Apple reached a preliminary deal with Intel that would put part of that production into Intel's US fabs as well.
Key Takeaways
- →According to the Wall Street Journal of 8 May 2026, Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary chipmaking agreement.
- →TSMC remains the main supplier; Intel would be added as a second US source.
- →Which Apple products are covered and which process node (e.g. Intel 18A or 14A) will be used is not public.
- →Intel shares jumped about 14 percent and Apple added roughly 2 percent on 8 May 2026.
- →The deal supports US industrial policy under the CHIPS Act and reduces Apple's concentration risk in Taiwan.
- →Neither company has officially confirmed the report; volumes and timing are still open.