Apple and Intel may be collaborating once again. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Intel is expected to supply Apple’s entry-level M-series chips as early as 2027.
According to Kuo, Apple has already signed an NDA with Intel and gained access to its 18AP process design kit. Testing and research are moving forward, with updated kits expected to be available in early 2026. If things go as planned, Intel could start shipping chips in the second or third quarter of 2027.
These processors power devices like the MacBook Air and iPad Pro. Apple shipped around 20 million units in 2025, though numbers may dip in 2026 if a cheaper MacBook with iPhone processors enters the lineup. Shipments of Intel-made chips are expected to reach 15 to 20 million units in 2026 and 2027.
The order size is small, so it won’t affect TSMC’s lead in advanced chipmaking. But the deal matters for both sides. For Apple, it shows a push to diversify suppliers and support US manufacturing goals. For Intel, winning Apple’s business signals progress for its foundry services and could lead to bigger orders in the future.
Also Read: Apple Pay to launch in the Philippines in 2026 after Google Pay’s early entry
If this partnership takes off, it would mark Intel’s return to Apple computers after years away. Stay tuned for updates.
