Apple and Intel Partnership Revived? Report Claims M7 Chip to Use Intel's 18A Process

In a stunning reversal, Apple is reportedly planning to use Intel's cutting-edge 18A manufacturing process for its future M-series chips, marking a new era of pragmatic collaboration between the two tech giants.

Just a few years after Apple confidently severed its long-standing reliance on Intel processors, a new rumor suggests the two are poised to collaborate again—but in a completely different way. This time, Apple wouldn't be buying chips from Intel, but rather contracting manufacturing services from Intel Foundry Services (IFS) for its upcoming M6 and M7 chips. This potential Apple and Intel partnership signals a full-circle moment, moving from the "Intel Inside" era through a bitter divorce to a new, more mature relationship as equals.

The Core of the Rumor: Intel's Game-Changing 18A Process

At the heart of this potential collaboration is Intel's "18A" manufacturing node, a 1.8nm-class process representing the pinnacle of the company's ambitious foundry revival. This isn't just an incremental upgrade; 18A incorporates groundbreaking technologies that could give Apple a critical edge in the competitive semiconductor landscape.

The first is PowerVia, Intel's industry-first implementation of backside power delivery. Think of it as moving the chip's power grid from a crowded city street to a dedicated subway tunnel underneath. This frees up valuable space on the chip for more data pathways, making the entire design more efficient and faster. The second is RibbonFET, Intel's gate-all-around transistor architecture. This is the next evolution beyond the current FinFET designs, allowing for finer control of electrical current, reducing power leakage, and directly translating to better performance per watt—a metric Apple obsesses over.

A Strategic Masterstroke for Apple Silicon

The move would signal a remarkable shift in strategy, driven by pure pragmatism. While Apple's transition to its own silicon has been a resounding success, relying on a single foundry partner (currently TSMC) for all its advanced chip production carries significant risks. TSMC is the undisputed leader, but its advanced nodes are operating at immense capacity, making any supply chain disruption a major threat to Apple's product roadmap.

Diversifying its supply chain by adding Intel as a second major partner would mitigate these risks and give Apple greater leverage in negotiations. Furthermore, if Intel's 18A process proves to be technologically superior to TSMC's equivalent node at the time of production, it would be the only logical choice for a company that partners with whoever can provide the best technology for its products, setting aside past rivalries in the pursuit of excellence.

Intel's High-Stakes Gamble for Foundry Supremacy

For Intel, securing Apple as a customer for its most advanced process would be nothing short of a monumental victory and the ultimate validation for CEO Pat Gelsinger's multi-billion dollar push to transform its foundry business. Landing a customer of Apple's caliber, known for its demanding standards and massive production volume, would send a clear message to the entire industry that Intel Foundry Services is back in the game and ready to compete at the highest level.

This partnership could also pave the way for other high-profile clients to place their bets on Intel's advanced nodes, fundamentally reshaping the semiconductor manufacturing landscape in Intel's favor.

Potential Risks in a High-Stakes Partnership

Despite the immense potential, this alliance is not without significant risks. For Apple, the biggest hurdle is execution. Can Intel's new 18A process deliver on its ambitious promises on time and at scale? Apple would be betting its flagship product roadmap on an unproven (from a third-party perspective) manufacturing node. There is also the inherent security risk of sharing its most valuable and secret chip designs with a former direct competitor.

For Intel, the pressure would be immense. Failing to meet Apple's exacting standards for performance, yield, and timeline could be a catastrophic blow to the credibility of its entire foundry business just as it's trying to gain momentum.

What This Means for Consumers

For consumers, this unlikely alliance is a promising sign. It signals a future where Macs could become even more powerful and energy-efficient, potentially delivering the next major leap in performance. The competition between TSMC and Intel to produce Apple's chips could accelerate innovation across the board, benefiting the entire tech ecosystem.

While this potential Apple Intel partnership remains a rumor for now, its implications are enormous. It marks a potential new chapter in their relationship, one defined not by dependency, but by mutual benefit and a shared, high-stakes goal of pushing the boundaries of semiconductor technology.

As with all unconfirmed reports, this information should be treated with caution until officially announced by the companies involved.