Apple in Talks with Samsung, Intel for US Chip Production

Apple is considering Samsung Electronics and Intel as new partners to increase semiconductor production within the United States, beyond its reliance on Taiwan's TSMC. This move is seen as a preparation for surging AI demand and geopolitical risk diversification, with Apple currently exploring the feasibility of utilizing both companies' US facilities. Apple has held initial discussions with Intel regarding the production of its main chips for use in the US, and explored cooperation possibilities during a visit to Samsung's new plant in Texas. These discussions are still in their early stages, and Apple has not yet placed specific chip production orders with any company.

The background behind Apple seeking partners other than TSMC includes limitations at TSMC's Arizona plant. Apple is scheduled to receive chips from this facility starting in 2026, but this represents a very small fraction of its total annual device shipments. Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed concerns about geopolitical risks, stating that a high concentration of production in a specific region is not strategically desirable. The increased demand for high-performance Macs to run on-device AI models has also accelerated these discussions, intensifying chip supply pressures. During an earnings call, CEO Tim Cook emphasized that a major constraint on growth is the availability of advanced process nodes for system-on-chip (SoC) production. This bottleneck affects the entire latest product lineup, and Cook indicated it would take several months to balance supply and demand.

Samsung Electronics is seeking an opportunity to return as a key partner for Apple after more than a decade. Securing a significant portion of Apple's core SoC volume could establish Samsung's Taylor, Texas facility as a crucial production hub catering to global big tech demand. Industry observers suggest that even just opening the possibility of cooperation with Samsung for supply chain risk diversification could influence the competitive landscape of the foundry market. (Apple, Intel, Samsung, and TSMC declined to comment on the report.)