Qualcomm has poured cold water on the idea of using Intel to manufacture its next wave of mobile chips—at least for now. The company’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, said Intel isn’t an option today, though he left the door open for a future partnership if Intel’s manufacturing can meet Qualcomm’s needs.
Intel is not an option today. We would like Intel to be an option.
That stance underscores where Intel’s foundry push stands in 2025. The company is ramping its 18A process, with initial output earmarked for internal products such as Panther Lake. Intel is also courting outside customers, but Qualcomm’s position suggests the technology still has to prove itself for high-volume, power-sensitive mobile silicon.
For the time being, Qualcomm will continue relying on TSMC and Samsung for production. Securing a win with a top-tier mobile customer like Qualcomm would be a major validation for Intel Foundry, which is seeking broader industry adoption for advanced nodes including 18A and 14A. Much rides on the real-world results of Panther Lake and how convincingly Intel can demonstrate performance, power, and yield at scale.
Intel’s leadership has also signaled a tighter financial discipline—no more blank checks—making customer traction even more critical. If momentum around 18A and beyond remains sluggish, the company may have to reassess how aggressively it pursues leading-edge manufacturing. The next few years are pivotal: proving the capability of 18A, landing external design wins, and building a sustainable foundry business model.
Bottom line: Qualcomm isn’t ready to shift its chip production to Intel today, but it’s not closing the book on the idea. If Intel delivers on its 18A roadmap and shows competitive performance and efficiency, a Qualcomm–Intel manufacturing deal could still materialize down the road. Until then, the spotlight stays on Panther Lake and the evolution of Intel’s foundry ambitions.
