Apple has held exploratory talks with Intel and Samsung about manufacturing the main processors for its devices in the United States, according to a Bloomberg report. The discussions are early-stage and no orders have been placed, but they signal Apple's intent to diversify its chip supply chain beyond longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
What the talks involve
Apple is said to have had early-stage discussions with Intel about using its chipmaking services. Apple executives have also visited a Samsung plant under construction in Texas that will produce advanced chips. The talks are preliminary, and sources who asked not to be identified told Bloomberg that no orders have been made so far.
Why Apple is looking for alternatives
The primary driver is supply chain risk. Recent shortages have been almost entirely driven by the build-out of AI data centers, which has strained global chip production capacity. Heavy demand for Mac mini and Mac Studio models — sought-after for running local AI models — has also contributed. On an earnings call last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that Mac mini and Mac Studio supply is constrained, and said it may take "several months" for Apple to achieve supply-demand balance.
Tradeoffs and concerns
Apple has concerns about using technology not made by TSMC, so the talks could still go nowhere. Neither Intel nor Samsung can reliably provide the production scale that TSMC offers. Apple has already worked with TSMC to help expand its plant in Phoenix, which is now producing a limited number of chips for Apple and expects to make 100 million chips for the company in 2026.
Bottom line
Apple is exploring Intel and Samsung as US-based chip suppliers to mitigate supply chain risks, but the talks are preliminary and face significant technical and capacity hurdles. The outcome will depend on whether Intel or Samsung can match TSMC's production reliability and scale.