Intel may produce chips for iPhone

Apple is said to be evaluating Intel's 18A-P manufacturing process for use in its M-series chips, with deliveries expected as early as 2027. And recently, a research firm has gone even further: the non-Pro iPhone 21 models launching in 2028 could use chips made by Intel itself.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for his accurate Apple predictions, revealed that Apple has signed an NDA with Intel and received PDK samples of the 18A-P process for testing. According to Kuo, Intel is on track to start supplying Apple with its lowest-end M-series chips in 2027.

For those who don't know, 18A-P is Intel's first process to support Foveros Direct 3D hybrid bonding technology, which allows chiplet stacking via TSVs. This is a good direction for Apple, as the technology offers a wide range of voltage-performance levels, in line with the company's philosophy of optimizing power consumption.

GF Securities recently released its own report on the subject. After agreeing with Kuo's assessment, two analysts, Jeff Pu and Evan Lee, said that Apple could apply the 18A-P process to the regular (non-Pro) iPhone line launched in 2028.

Apple is currently expected to name the 2027 iPhone generation as iPhone 20 – as a 20th anniversary milestone. Therefore, it is almost a foregone conclusion that the 2028 iPhone will become the iPhone 21.

Of course, this is all just a forecast. GF Securities says that the forecast will be clearer by the end of December 2025. The report also reveals that the yield of Intel 18A reached 60–65% in November and could reach 70% by the end of 2025.

Marvin Fry

Update 08 December 2025