What’s happened? While Apple and Intel had cut ties a long while ago, things might look different in the near future. A fresh leak from Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Intel may return to the Apple world. Not as the CPU designer, but as a chip foundry for Apple’s lower-end M-series silicon. This isn’t a throwback to Intel-powered MacBooks; instead, Intel would simply manufacture chips that Apple designs. In fact, if things go right, Intel could start supplying these chips by mid-2027.

The plan involves using Intel’s 18AP process node to fabricate Apple’s entry-level M-series chips (likely for MacBook Air/base iPads).

Apple remains in control of chip design and architecture, and only the manufacturing shifts.

Intel is expected to deliver initial batch samples after Apple receives the 18A

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