Apple to manufacture some iPhone chips on Intel 14A

Ming-Chi Kuo speculated earlier that Apple would source its Apple M7 SoC for the MacBook Air/iPad Pro from Intel Foundry in 2027. GF Securities' Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) now has some news about the 2028-bound Apple A22, which will power the iPhone 20 and iPhone 20e. It will be manufactured on Intel's new 14A node.

Intel's product roadmap says 14A is expected to enter mass production sometime in 2027, giving it ample time to churn out A22 chips the subsequent year. On the other hand, the Apple A22 Pro for the iPhone 22 Pro could still be manufactured on TSMC's A16 node. Essentially, Apple might split production between TSMC and Intel, a strategy mirrored by the likes of Nvidia. Apple did this earlier with TSMC and Samsung, only to end up with the infamous chipgate scandal.

Intel 14A is the first mainstream node to use ASML's high-NA lithography tech. 18A has already shown off the power of Gate-all-around RibbonFET transistors and BSPDN (backside power delivery networks), and the tech will only get better with 14A. With 18A failing to attract major customers, the chipmaker is going all-in on 14A to be its proverbial comeback node. Thankfully, customers who have worked with 14A call it 'the real deal' and are confident in its ability to compete with TSMC/Samsung Foundry.