Intel's Foundry Ambitions Gain Momentum: Apple and Nvidia Reportedly Eyeing 2028 Partnerships
Intel's multi-year effort to revitalize its manufacturing business may be approaching a critical inflection point. A report from DigiTimes, cited by Tom's Hardware, suggests that industry leaders Apple and Nvidia are evaluating Intel Foundry as a future supplier, with potential engagements starting as early as 2028. While years away in the fast-moving semiconductor sector, securing design wins from such marquee clients would mark a significant validation of Intel's turnaround strategy.
According to the report, Nvidia's primary advanced GPU dies for its post-Rubin architecture (codenamed Feynman) are still expected to remain at TSMC. However, Intel is reportedly in contention to manufacture the accompanying I/O dies, potentially on its upcoming 18A or 14A process nodes. For Apple, the discussions are said to center on future iterations of its custom M-series processors for Macs, a contract that would represent a major foothold in the high-performance computing market.
Credit: Intel
Analysts point to a confluence of factors driving this potential shift. Geopolitical tensions and the desire for supply chain resilience are making U.S.-based manufacturing increasingly attractive. "Intel's domestic fabs offer a compelling 'de-risking' narrative for American tech firms," said industry watcher Michael Chen. "In an era of trade uncertainty, geographic diversification is no longer just an option—it's a board-level imperative."
Capacity is another key consideration. TSMC's leading-edge nodes are perennially oversubscribed, leaving clients scrambling for allocation. Intel, with its aggressive fab expansion under the CHIPS Act, could soon offer valuable alternative capacity. "TSMC's dominance has created a seller's market," noted supply chain analyst Priya Sharma. "Intel's foundry services, if they execute on node leadership, could become a crucial pressure valve for the industry's capacity crunch."
The move would also benefit Apple and Nvidia by introducing much-needed competition into the advanced foundry landscape, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation. While TSMC continues its own U.S. expansion in Arizona, the emergence of a credible domestic alternative could reshape the global semiconductor ecosystem in the coming years.
Michael Chen, Technology Strategist: "This is a logical, long-term hedging strategy. Having a viable second source for critical components is fundamental risk management. Intel's execution will be the ultimate test."
Priya Sharma, Supply Chain Analyst: "The capacity argument is strong. Intel's new fabs are coming online just as demand for AI and compute chips is hitting new peaks. The timing could be serendipitous."
David R. Miller, Industry Commentator: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Promises of future nodes and 'potential' deals are Intel's stock in trade. Where are the actual, high-volume tape-outs? Until I see silicon, this is just more noise from a company desperate for relevance."
Alexandra Reed, Semiconductor Investor: "The market has been skeptical of Intel's foundry dreams. Securing even a secondary role from Nvidia or a test chip from Apple would be a monumental credibility boost. It signals the industry is starting to believe in the roadmap."