Apple has reportedly held exploratory discussions with Intel and Samsung Electronics about producing the main processors for its devices in the United States, potentially providing an alternative to longtime chipmaking partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
The account, citing people familiar with the deliberations, describes Apple executives visiting a Samsung plant under development in Texas and holding separate preliminary talks with Intel about its chipmaking services.
Both efforts remained at an early stage and neither had resulted in orders, the account said. It also described Apple’s concerns about using manufacturing technology outside TSMC, particularly over reliability and production scale. Whether either effort would lead to production work remained uncertain.
Supply constraints and existing U.S. manufacturing plans
Apple warned of continuing chip supply constraints when it reported quarterly results in April. Tim Cook said shortages of the advanced processors used in iPhones had held back sales during the quarter.
Apple’s U.S. chip supply plans already include TSMC’s Arizona facility. On February 24, Apple said it was on track to purchase well over 100 million advanced chips produced there in 2026, an increase from 2025.
Apple also announced in August 2025 that it was working with Samsung at its Austin, Texas, fabrication plant on manufacturing technology for chips intended for Apple products, including iPhones. That announcement did not specify that Samsung would manufacture Apple’s main device processors.
Intel shares rose 13% on May 5 after the account of the exploratory discussions.
