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ToggleThe strongest alliance in the global tech industry may be cracking. For a long time, TSMC has been the sole manufacturer of Apple's A-series (iPhone) and M-series (Mac/iPad) core processors, but this status quo may soon be broken.
According to a recent Bloomberg report , Apple is actively exploring the possibility of diversifying its chip manufacturing risks and has made initial contact with Intel and Samsung Electronics to assess the feasibility of outsourcing core processor production to these two major competitors in the future.
Visit Samsung's Texas plant and discuss Intel manufacturing services
Sources revealed that Apple's "de-risking" of its supply chain has entered the substantive review stage. Specific actions include:
- Samsung Electronics: Apple executives have visited the Taylor advanced process plant under construction in Texas, USA. This plant is considered a key base for Samsung to compete for orders for 2nm and 3nm logic chips.
- Intel: Apple has begun early talks regarding Intel's Foundry Services (IFS). This is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for Intel, which is currently undergoing a painful transformation and actively promoting the revival of its foundry business.
The report emphasizes that all discussions are currently in the "very early stages," Apple has not yet placed any formal orders, and still has concerns about the stability and yield of non-TSMC technologies, so whether the cooperation will ultimately proceed remains uncertain.
Why the rush to "de-TSMC-ize"? The AI wave and geopolitics are the main reasons.
Apple's major move to find alternative supply sources reflects three deep-seated anxieties:
- TSMC's capacity is on high alert: With the explosion of generative AI, AI giants like Nvidia are scrambling for TSMC's advanced process capacity, such as 2nm and 3nm, leading to extremely tight supply. Apple is worried that if it doesn't increase its suppliers, the shipments of core products like the iPhone may be limited in the future.
- Supply chain diversification needs: Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global supply chain instability, over-reliance on a single supplier (TSMC) has become a weakness in risk management.
- Favorable US policies: By manufacturing chips in Intel or Samsung's US factories, Apple can not only reduce shipping risks but also benefit from the policy support and subsidies of the US Chip and Chip Act.
Challenge: TSMC's "technology moat" remains difficult to overcome.
Despite Intel and Samsung's efforts to catch up, the industry generally believes that they will lag behind TSMC in the short term in terms of advanced process yield, experience in large-scale production, and technical details. For Apple, the cost of rashly switching foundries and resulting in reduced chip performance or supply instability would be incalculable.
Market analysts suggest this might be a price negotiation strategy by Apple, aimed at pressuring TSMC for more favorable prices or priority in production capacity; however, it could also be Apple's long-term strategic planning for the most extreme global changes. In any case, the era of TSMC's "monopoly on Apple orders" has been shrouded in uncertainty.
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