According to BlockBeats, on May 5, Apple began exploring new chip manufacturing sources by initiating preliminary talks with Intel and Samsung Electronics, seeking to diversify from its traditional reliance on a single supplier. The company is evaluating Intel's foundry capabilities and examining Samsung's advanced fab under construction in Texas, though no actual orders have been placed yet.
The move comes amid tight supply of advanced process capacity and surging AI demand. Apple CEO Tim Cook previously stated that chip shortages have constrained the company's growth, with bottlenecks concentrated in advanced process nodes required for System-on-Chip production.