Intel foundry services for external chip production
Intel's Chief Financial Officer, David Zinsner, announced on March 5, 2026, that Intel is close to securing multi-billion dollar annual deals for its advanced packaging technology and is reconsidering its strategy for the 18A process technology to offer it to external chip designers, marking a significant shift for Intel Foundry Services (IFS) to expand its external chip production capabilities. As of March 5, 2026, Intel's 18A chip node is in full production and available for external customers, with discussions ongoing regarding potential manufacturing of Nvidia GPUs. Intel is also reportedly in early-stage discussions with Apple for investment and collaboration, and has secured a deal to manufacture Nvidia's future 'Feynman' GPU around 2028. Two potential customers are currently evaluating test chips for the 14A process, with decisions on commitments expected in the second half of 2026.
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23 updates
2026
23 updatesIntel's Chief Financial Officer, David Zinsner, announced on March 5, 2026, that Intel is close to securing multi-billion dollar annual deals for its advanced packaging technology and is reconsidering its strategy for the 18A process technology to offer it to external chip designers. This marks a significant shift for Intel Foundry Services (IFS) to expand its external chip production capabilities, reversing a previous stance of prioritizing 18A for internal use.
Intel's 18A chip node is now in full production and available for external customers, marking a significant shift from its previous focus on internal use. This development has sparked interest from potential partners like Nvidia, with whom Intel has announced collaborations for AI servers and consumer PCs. Intel CFO Dave Zinsner emphasized that these collaborations are product-driven, with discussions ongoing regarding the possibility of Intel manufacturing Nvidia GPUs.
via pcgamer.com
Intel is reportedly in discussions with Apple regarding a potential investment and exploring closer collaboration. These negotiations are described as being in their early stages. This follows recent investments from Nvidia and SoftBank, and government funding, as part of Intel's revival strategy.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan confirmed the company is heavily investing in its 14A process, indicating it has more than one client for production. Reports suggest Apple and Nvidia are considering shifting portions of their chip manufacturing to Intel by 2028, potentially using the 14A node for non-core components, while TSMC remains the primary supplier for flagship products.
via tomshardware.com·tomshardware.com·reuters.com·tomshardware.com
Intel has reportedly secured a deal to manufacture Nvidia's future 'Feynman' GPU, expected around 2028, utilizing its 18A or 14A process nodes. This collaboration is described as limited in scope, with TSMC continuing to handle the majority of Nvidia's production. Apple is also reportedly exploring some form of collaboration with Intel.
via hwcooling.net
Rumors suggest that Intel may have secured MediaTek as a new customer for its 14A process, though this remains unconfirmed and in the early stages. This potential deal is significant as Intel has been striving to attract external clients for its 14A node.
via benzinga.com
Industry giants Apple and Nvidia are reportedly considering outsourcing portions of their 2028 semiconductor production to Intel, utilizing its 18A or 14A process technology. This potential shift is driven by geopolitical concerns and tariffs, aiming to diversify chip manufacturing away from TSMC. While neither company has confirmed these plans, discussions are reportedly underway for non-core products.
Intel plans to release version 0.5 of the process design kit for its 14A manufacturing process in the first quarter of 2026, with risk production targeted for the end of 2027 and volume production in 2028. Early versions of the process design kit are being released to external customers in early 2026. Two potential customers are currently evaluating test chips manufactured using the 14A process, and decisions on commitments are expected in the second half of 2026.
Intel's 18A process is now in production, marking progress in the company's foundry strategy.
via nasdaq.com
Intel's CEO acknowledged the company's inability to fully meet market demand due to supply shortages and heavy spending. Intel reported a fourth-quarter loss of $333 million and expects further losses.
Intel has revealed that two potential customers are currently evaluating chips made on its 14A fabrication process. While no firm commitments have been made, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan anticipates these customers will make final supplier decisions in the second half of 2026. Mass production for external clients is slated for 2028, contingent on secured contracts, as Intel is holding back on significant capacity expansion until customer demand is confirmed.
Needham reiterated its Hold rating on Intel, noting that Q4 2025 results surpassed expectations, but Q1 2026 guidance was lower due to anticipated supply constraints peaking in Q1 2026. Intel expects margins to improve throughout the year, with customer decisions for the 14A process expected in the second half of 2026 and first half of 2027.
via investing.com
Intel's CFO David Zinsner stated that commitments for advanced packaging are expected to exceed $1 billion, indicating a potential for EMIB in mainstream products by 2026. Intel Foundry aims to attract customers by offering both frontend and backend semiconductor services in one location.
via wccftech.com
Intel plans to increase spending on manufacturing tools in the first half of 2026 to support demand in 2027 and beyond. The company also confirmed that high-NA EUV lithography will be integrated into its 14A process.
via bits-chips.nl
UBS analysts have identified Nvidia, Apple (for M-Series chips), and Amazon as potential customers for Intel's 14A production, leading UBS to raise Intel's stock price target to $52. This outlook follows the anticipated release of Intel's 14A production design kit.
Intel has confirmed it has two prospective customers for its 14A fabrication process, with firm commitments anticipated in the second half of 2026. The company is on track to release the 14A Process Design Kit (PDK) version 0.5 this quarter.
via tomshardware.com
GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu reiterated expectations that Intel will begin supplying some Apple chips using its future 14A process, potentially for non-pro iPhone models starting in 2028, with TSMC remaining the primary chipmaking partner. Other reports suggest Apple is interested in Intel's 14A for future M-series chips.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
Intel confirmed that its 14A node is on track for 2027, with good yields. However, the company will only expand 14A wafer capacity after securing firm manufacturing contracts from customers. Intel's CEO expects customers to make firm supplier decisions in the second half of 2026 and extending into the first half of 2027.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
Intel's 14A node utilizes the ASML Twinscan EXE:5200B, enabling features with 8nm resolution. Intel achieved a field-stitching overlay accuracy of 0.7nm at its Oregon pilot plant, confirming the viability of manufacturing AI GPUs and server chips.
Intel faces execution risks with its 14A roadmap, market share erosion to AMD, and China exposure due to export controls. A stumble in the 14A roadmap could send the stock back to 2024 levels, and Intel must prove its Clearwater Forest Xeon chips can stop the bleeding.
Analysts noted that Intel could start securing business from Apple for "lower-risk silicon such as base M-series" on its 18A node, with potential for Apple to expand to 14A chips for lower-end iPhones.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
KeyBanc analyst Vinh reports that Intel Foundry Services has secured some business from Apple to manufacture low-end M-series processors for MacBooks and iPads using its 18A process. This marks a confirmed deal for Intel's 18A process, distinct from previous discussions about 14A.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan stated that Intel is "going big time into 14A," a reversal from earlier comments about potentially pausing the node without securing a customer. He indicated that early versions of the 14A Process Design Kit (PDK) would be available to external customers in early 2026, with production readiness expected in 2027.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
2025
7 updates
2025
7 updatesGF Securities HK Brokerage suggests Intel's chip-making and packaging services have attracted Apple, Broadcom, and Google. AMD and Nvidia are reportedly considering Intel's 14A process node.
via pcgamer.com
NVIDIA and AMD are reportedly evaluating Intel's 14A process node, while Apple and Broadcom are considering Intel's EMIB packaging. Furthermore, reports suggest Apple may partner with Intel again to supply some of its lower-end M-series Mac chips as early as mid-2027, utilizing Intel's 18A process.
Intel may secure Apple as a major foundry customer, with predictions that Apple will use Intel Foundry for its low-end M-series chips. Apple's experience with Intel's 18A-P process design kit has met expectations, and they are awaiting version 1.0. This potential deal is seen as a game-changer for Intel's comeback bid.
via nasdaq.com
Nvidia has invested $5 billion in Intel, acquiring a 4% stake, and both companies have agreed to a multi-generational product collaboration. This partnership aims to integrate Intel's CPUs with Nvidia's AI and graphics chips using Nvidia's NVLink technology. Additionally, Intel is reportedly in preliminary discussions with Apple regarding a potential investment and closer collaboration.
via tomshardware.com·reuters.com·seekingalpha.com·investing.com
Reports emerged of Nvidia taking a $5 billion stake in Intel as part of a deal to combine their CPU and GPU products, with Nvidia potentially making integrated graphics for Intel's CPUs. Intel, however, stated this deal would not change its own roadmap.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
Intel is reportedly in discussions with Nvidia and Apple for potential deals involving its 14A production kit. Apple is evaluating the 14A process for its M-series chips, while Nvidia has expressed interest in trial production for lower-end GPUs. These potential collaborations are seen as crucial for Intel's foundry strategy.
via koamspa.com
Intel provided more details on its 14A production process, highlighting its use of ASML's most advanced lithography machines and the implementation of PowerDirect, an improved backside power delivery system. Intel stated that several customers were already working with 14A development kits, though mass production dates were not yet known.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
2024
1 update
2024
1 updateIntel announced a multiyear, multi-billion-dollar deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to co-develop custom AI chips. This deal includes manufacturing an AI fabric chip on Intel 18A and a custom Xeon 6 chip on Intel 3, with expectations for deep engagement on designs spanning Intel 18A, 18AP, and 14A.
via newsroom.intel.com·siliconrepublic.com·computerworld.com·manufacturingdive.com·scmp.com
2026
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