Sources: Apple held exploratory talks with Intel and Apple executives visited a Samsung plant in Texas to explore producing core chips for its devices in the US

Apple Considers Using Intel, Samsung to Build Device Processors — Video Player is loading. — Unmute

Bloomberg 2026-05-05

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple’s manufacturing relationship with Intel has been resurfacing for some time: Intel reportedly sought an Apple investment in 2025, while its earlier discussions with TSMC and Samsung showed its willingness to use external production to address advanced-chip needs.

The reported outreach also sits against Apple’s prior use of Samsung for iPhone-chip manufacturing. Subsequent related coverage says Apple and Intel formalized a manufacturing arrangement, making these exploratory discussions consequential rather than isolated supplier outreach.

First-order effects

Apple gains potential U.S.-based manufacturing options for device processors beyond its existing supply chain, while Intel and Samsung gain a chance to win high-volume Apple work.
Intel’s reported subsequent agreement with Apple converts part of the exploratory dialogue into a customer commitment; Samsung’s Texas operation remains a prospective alternative under the reported discussions.

Second-order effects

Intel and Samsung face a more direct contest for Apple processor volumes, where manufacturing execution and the ability to support U.S. production become central to winning incremental business.
Apple’s ability to evaluate multiple fabs can strengthen its leverage in production negotiations and reduce the operational risk of concentrating critical chips with one manufacturer.

Third-order effects

If major device makers increasingly qualify multiple domestic fabs for leading processors, chip manufacturing may become less concentrated around a single production partner and more tied to geographic redundancy.
For Intel, landing external manufacturing customers would make its turnaround increasingly dependent on foundry credibility, not solely on its own chip products; whether that scales depends on delivery performance and additional customer wins.

The trend: This is part of a broader shift toward diversifying advanced-chip manufacturing across more suppliers and more U.S.-based capacity.

Discussion

@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
NEW: Apple has held exploratory discussions about using Intel and Samsung to produce the main processors for its devices, a move that would offer a secondary option beyond longtime partner TSMC. I don't expect anything imminent. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@chicagomike Mike on bluesky
Intel is so back [embedded post]
@harrymccracken.com Harry McCracken on bluesky
It would be fun to see Apple decide, once again, to put Intel inside. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/ articles/2026-05-05/apple-explores- using-intel-and-samsung-to-build-main- device-chips-in-the-us
r/apple r on reddit
Apple Explores Using Intel and Samsung to Build Main Device Chips in the US (Gift Link)
@firstadopter Tae Kim on x
Oh. “Apple has held exploratory discussions about using Intel and Samsung to produce the main processors for its devices” $INTC
@patrickmoorhead Patrick Moorhead on x
Much more than exploration LoL.
Emil Protalinski Emil Protalinski on linkedin
Should Apple put Intel inside again? — Apple has reportedly held exploratory talks with Intel and Samsung about producing processors …
@chooserich Nick O'Neill on x
Intel was in discussion for a literal government bailout only months ago... Now look at their stock🤯 [image]
@benbajarin Ben Bajarin on x
Genuinely didn't think I'd see this in 2026. $INTC north of $100. [image]
Mark Gurman Mark Gurman on linkedin
NEW: Apple has held exploratory discussions about using Intel and Samsung to produce the main processors for its devices, a move that would offer a secondary option beyond longtime partner TSMC. …
@scriban @scriban on bluesky
How humiliating. — From commanding the strategic heights of compute infrastructure from data centers to the desktop, to being grateful for some fab work. [embedded post]

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