According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is evaluating whether to shift part of its low-end processor production away from TSMC to alternative suppliers—a move that, if implemented, would break a 12-year tradition of exclusive cooperation. Driven by the AI boom, NVIDIA has overtaken Apple as TSMC’s largest customer, securing a significant share of advanced process capacity.
At the same time, memory suppliers such as Samsung and SK Hynix have raised prices, further squeezing Apple’s profit margins. Analysts note that Intel could begin manufacturing chips for non-Pro iPhone models using its 14A process as early as 2028. By diversifying its supply chain, Apple aims to balance costs with capacity security as it navigates a rapidly shifting industry landscape shaped by the AI era. [IThome, in Chinese]
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