A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
Apple seeks chip manufacturing alternatives.
02
Discussions with Intel, Samsung are preliminary.
03
Supply chain diversification is a key driver.
Atlas AI
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 repoSources 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 repoSources 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.
