Apple is once again rumored to be exploring a partnership with Intel for chip manufacturing, as part of its long-term strategy to reduce reliance on a single supplier. Reports of renewed discussions between the two companies first surfaced in early December, pointing to Apple’s desire to diversify beyond TSMC.

This rumor has now been reinforced by a new research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu. According to Pu, Intel is expected to begin manufacturing Apple chips using its upcoming 14A process, which is projected to enter mass production in 2028. If this materializes, Intel would fabricate a portion of Apple’s future A21 and A22 chips.

Despite this potential collaboration, TSMC is still expected to remain Apple’s primary chip manufacturing partner. Similar to TSMC’s role, Intel would focus solely on fabrication and would not be involved in the design of Apple’s custom silicon.

In addition to iPhone chips, the partnership could extend to other Apple products. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Intel may also manufacture chips for select Mac and iPad models. Specifically, Intel could start producing lower-end M-series chips as early as mid-2027, marking a significant shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy.

If these rumors prove accurate, Apple’s renewed collaboration with Intel could signal a major change in the semiconductor landscape over the next few years, with long-term implications for performance, supply stability, and manufacturing competition.