Apple turns to Intel instead of Samsung for its low-end MacBook chips

Samsung Foundry and TSMC are the only firms in the world that have started the mass production of 2nm chips. Intel decided to start making chips for other firms two years ago, and it appears that Apple is interested in using Intel's 18A (1.8nm class) process to make chips for MacBooks and other Macs.

Renowned Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that Intel could start shipping low-end M series chips to Apple as soon as mid-2027. Apparently, these chips will be fabricated on Intel's 18A process node in North America. They are likely M6 or M7 chips and could be used in future iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air models.

TSMC would reportedly continue to supply high-end M series chips for MacBooks, Macs, Mac Minis, and Mac Studios. Those chips would also be made using TSMC's 2nm process, and it would be interesting to see which firm's 2nm class process node is better.

Samsung has already started mass production of the Exynos 2600, its first 2nm chip, and it will be used in the Galaxy S26 in some markets. These chips are currently being made in South Korea, but the company plans to start making 2nm chips in the USA at its Taylor chip plant in Texas. That is where the company will make the AI6 chip for Tesla. It will reportedly make the 2nm Snapdragon 8s Elite Gen 5 which will be used in the Galaxy Z Flip 8 next year.

Even though Samsung Foundry started making 2nm chips, it appears that Apple is not interested in using its technology. There could be two reasons why Apple chose Intel instead of Samsung Foundry to make its 2nm chips.