Intel Is Unlikely to Manufacture Apple’s A20 Chip for the Base iPhone 18, New Leak Pushes Back on Earlier Claim
A short-lived rumor suggesting that Intel could manufacture Apple’s A20 chip for the standard iPhone 18 appears to have collapsed almost as quickly as it surfaced.
The speculation began after a claim circulated on Chinese social media stating that the regular iPhone 18 would use Intel’s 18A manufacturing process. Since Apple’s A20 chip is widely expected to power the base iPhone 18 model, the claim naturally led to speculation that Intel might be chosen to fabricate that processor.
However, that possibility has now been strongly challenged by a more reliable source. According to tipster Jukan, a review of recently leaked Apple-related documents from a Tata-operated factory in India found no evidence supporting the idea that Intel would manufacture the A20 chip for the standard iPhone 18. The earlier source was also dismissed as unreliable, suggesting the rumor should not be taken seriously.
That means the odds of Intel producing the A20 chip for Apple’s base iPhone 18 have dropped sharply, at least based on the currently available information.
Still, this does not rule out a future Apple and Intel chip partnership. Reports have previously suggested that Apple and Intel reached a preliminary agreement related to chip fabrication. While the exact details remain unclear, the arrangement is expected to be similar in structure to Apple’s long-running relationship with TSMC: Apple designs its custom processors, while a manufacturing partner produces them using advanced semiconductor nodes.
Intel may still play a role in Apple’s future hardware roadmap. One possibility is Apple using Intel’s 18A-P process for base M7 chips expected around 2027. There have also been claims that Apple could consider Intel’s 18A-P or more advanced 14A process for the base A22 chip, which may arrive in 2028. Some reports suggest a large portion of Apple’s potential orders with Intel could be connected to future iPhone chips rather than Mac processors.
Meanwhile, Apple is still expected to rely heavily on TSMC for its most advanced chips. Recent reports indicate that Apple may use TSMC’s 1.4nm-class process for the A22 Pro chips, which would likely be reserved for higher-end iPhone models. If that happens, Intel could still become a candidate for producing non-Pro versions of future Apple chips, depending on yield, performance, cost, and Apple’s broader supply chain strategy.
Apple has also reportedly obtained PDK samples from Intel to evaluate the 18A-P process. PDKs, or process design kits, allow chip designers to test how their designs might work on a particular manufacturing node before committing to production. This suggests Apple is at least studying Intel’s technology, even if the A20 chip rumor now appears unsupported.
Another area where Intel may contribute is advanced chip packaging. Apple’s upcoming custom ASIC, reportedly known as Baltra and expected sometime in 2027 or 2028, has been linked to Intel’s EMIB packaging technology. EMIB is designed to connect different chip components efficiently, making it useful for complex processors and accelerator chips.
For now, though, the key takeaway is simple: the claim that Intel will manufacture Apple’s A20 chip for the base iPhone 18 does not appear credible. Apple may still work with Intel on future chips, packaging, or lower-tier processors, but the iPhone 18 A20 rumor currently lacks solid support.
The situation remains worth watching because Apple’s chip supply chain is one of the most important stories in consumer technology. Any shift away from exclusive reliance on TSMC for certain chips could have major implications for Intel, Apple, and the future of iPhone processors. But based on the latest clarification, Intel’s role in the iPhone 18 A20 chip is unlikely.
