Apple Holds Early Talks With Intel and Samsung on Making Main Device Chips in the US

Apple has held exploratory discussions with Intel and Samsung Electronics about potentially producing the main processors for its devices in the United States, sources News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The talks suggest Apple is considering additional manufacturing options beyond its longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). Apple executives have visited a Samsung plant under development in Texas and separately held preliminary discussions with Intel about using the company’s chipmaking services, the report said.

The discussions remain at an early stage and have not resulted in any orders, according to the report.

sources said Apple has concerns about relying solely on TSMC, including potential supply constraints. Apple has previously warned of continuing chip supply constraints, and iPhone sales were held back in a recent quarter by supply constraints for advanced processor chips.

At the same time, the report said Apple is wary of using non-TSMC technology due to concerns about reliability and scale.

The iPhone 17-family’s chips are made on a variant of the same TSMC chip manufacturing technology as many leading AI chips.

Apple and Samsung did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Intel declined to comment.