Report: Apple considers Intel and Samsung to diversify chip manufacturing away from TSMC - 9to5Mac

According to Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly exploring early-stage talks with Intel and Samsung Electronics to reduce its reliance on TSMC for chip manufacturing, aiming to diversify its supply chain. ... Read original →

Apple’s exploratory talks with Intel and Samsung aren’t about cost—they’re a geopolitical hedge. TSMC’s 3nm dominance is undeniable, but its Taiwan-centric footprint has become Apple’s single point of failure. Shifting even partial SoC orders to Samsung would accelerate GAA adoption, eroding TSMC’s 2nm leverage; partnering with Intel could catalyze U.S.-based advanced packaging, reshaping backend supply chains. This move inflates NRE costs and triggers regulatory friction: U.S. export controls on fab tools, cross-licensing barriers between Korea and Taiwan, and potential Chinese market retaliation. While TSMC retains A-series production for now, expect Apple to pilot dual-sourcing on select M-series chips within 18 months—forcing foundries into stricter IP terms. The era of pure tech-driven foundry selection is over; chip sovereignty now dictates design wins.