It’s the main processor:

Apple Inc. has held exploratory discussions about using Intel Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. to produce the main processors for its devices in the US, a move that would offer a secondary option beyond longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. [0] (paywalled)

They wouldn’t need either Intel or Samsung if it wasn’t bleeding edge. I think it’s 14A for Intel. TSMC is still have the edge overall, but they are neck and neck in terms of node.

TSMC will be more than fine. They are hardly able to meet the demands.

[0] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-05/apple-exp...

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whynotminot 5 hours ago | parent [-]

What does “main” mean? Main processor for a flagship iPhone? Or main processor for a HomePod?

There’s a lot of “main” processors for Apple’s devices at this point.

I would be deeply skeptical of a brand new flagship iPhone <n> Pro having an Intel fab’d SoC until at least a few years into this arrangement.

	▲	ua709 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Also an “exploratory discussion” is not the same as a signed contract. Apple has tons of custom silicon now. There are many low risk ASICs Apple could kick the tires with.