Apple Explores Intel and Samsung for US Chip Production 2026

Apple is reportedly exploring the possibility of having Intel and Samsung manufacture its advanced chips in the United States, marking a significant shift after more than a decade of reliance on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). According to Bloomberg, the Cupertino giant is considering diversifying its chip production, a move that could reshape the semiconductor landscape.

Why Apple Is Looking Beyond TSMC

For years, Apple has been TSMC's largest customer, a relationship that began in 2014 and lasted over a decade. However, in 2025, Nvidia overtook Apple as TSMC's top client, generating 19% of the foundry's revenue compared to Apple's 17%. This loss of priority status may have prompted Apple to seek alternatives.

But the reasons go beyond just customer ranking. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the desire for geographic diversification are compelling Apple to explore domestic manufacturing options.

Intel and Samsung: Potential Partners

Intel, with its foundry ambitions, and Samsung, with its advanced Texas facility, are both viable candidates. Apple could even work with both simultaneously while maintaining its relationship with TSMC. Such a strategy would help Apple mitigate risks associated with supply chain interruptions.

Intel has been ramping up its foundry business, aiming to become a major player in contract chip manufacturing. Samsung, meanwhile, has been expanding its US presence, particularly in Texas, where it operates cutting-edge fabrication plants.

The Geopolitical and Strategic Context

The move aligns with broader US efforts to bolster domestic semiconductor production. The CHIPS Act and other incentives have encouraged companies to bring manufacturing back to American soil. For Apple, sourcing chips domestically could reduce exposure to geopolitical risks, particularly those related to Taiwan.

However, transitioning to new manufacturers is not without challenges. TSMC's advanced process nodes are widely considered industry-leading, and replicating that expertise elsewhere may take time and significant investment. The background to this story is set out in Intel and TSMC: A Strange Rivalry With Mutual Benefits. A related thread runs through Nvidia Funds Suppliers to Secure AI Chip Production Capacity. Earlier coverage in Apple Returns to Intel: A Lesson in Foundry Services shows how the argument developed.

What This Means for the Tech Industry

If Apple diversifies its chip production, it could set a precedent for other tech giants. It would also intensify competition among foundries, potentially leading to innovations and cost efficiencies. A closer look at the same subject appears in Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Reportedly Targeted by Chinese Spy. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Could AI Be Conscious? Exploring the Possibility of Sentient Mach. The same theme surfaces in Could AI Be Conscious? Exploring the Possibility of Machine Senti, which takes a different angle.

For now, the discussions are exploratory, and no final decisions have been made. But the mere possibility signals a shift in the semiconductor supply chain that could have far-reaching implications. Context on how this played out before sits in ByteDance Builds Own AI Chips as Intel and AMD Prices Soar. A companion piece, Intel Chip Outperforms Apple M1 in Efficiency Benchmark, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Apple is exploring Intel and Samsung as potential manufacturers for its advanced chips in the US.
• Nvidia surpassed Apple as TSMC's largest customer in 2025, contributing to Apple's reconsideration.
• Diversification would help Apple mitigate supply chain risks and geopolitical tensions.
• The move aligns with US efforts to boost domestic semiconductor production.
• Challenges remain, including matching TSMC's advanced process technology.

Comparison of Foundries

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