Apple Scouts Intel, Samsung for US-Made Chip Production
Apple explored using Intel and Samsung facilities to manufacture its core processors domestically.
Apple is quietly shopping around for ways to build its main chips on American soil. The iPhone maker held preliminary discussions with Intel about potentially manufacturing processors stateside, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Apple executives also toured a Samsung facility in Texas as part of the same exploration. The goal: figure out whether domestic production of the core chips powering Apple devices is actually viable.
These are described as exploratory talks, not finalized deals. But the mere fact that Apple is kicking the tires on US-based chip fabrication is significant. The company currently relies on TSMC for its custom silicon.
Both Intel and Samsung operate foundry businesses capable of advanced chip manufacturing, though neither currently produces Apple's flagship processors. Whether these conversations lead anywhere concrete remains to be seen.