Unexpected developments are afoot as analyst Ming-Chi Kuo announced that Intel will start manufacturing Apple’s M-series processors as early as 2027, reinstating a partnership that had ended in 2020.

This shift does not entail Apple reverting to Intel’s earlier x86 architecture, but rather having Intel produce M-series chips in its fabrication plants. Apple is expected to leverage Intel’s 18AP process node in this endeavor.

Previously, Apple’s use of Intel chips marked a bygone era of partnership without the performance of its own M-series, which have significantly outperformed Intel’s offerings. Kuo suggests that these processors would power future MacBook Air models and certain iPhones.

As the landscape evolves, this collaboration could lessen Apple’s dependence on TSMC while providing Intel with a much-needed boost to its foundry acknowledgement. If these plans come to fruition, it may signal a significant turnaround in Intel’s fortunes following its struggles in recent years against competitors like AMD.

“Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple’s lowest-end M processor as early as 2027.”

For now, we await to see if this partnership will yield further substantial advancements in the tech scene.