Apple is reportedly evaluating Intel's 18A-P chip manufacturing process for its M-series processors, with actual deliveries currently targeted for 2027. Now, one research firm is going a step further by projecting that Intel-made chips might power the non-Pro versions of the iPhone 21 that is slated for 2028.
GF Securities: Intel will win a contract for Apple's non-Pro iPhones slated for 2028
The famous Apple-focused analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, noted recently that Apple has already signed an NDA with Intel and procured PDK samples of its advanced 18A-P process for evaluation purposes. According to Kuo, Intel is currently on track to start shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series processors as early as 2027.
As we explained in a dedicated post, Intel's 18A-P process is its first node to support Foveros Direct 3D hybrid bonding, which allows for stacking multiple chiplets through TSVs. As such, it makes sense for Apple to adopt this process for its M-series chips as it allows for a variety of power/voltage regimes, which align with Apple's modus operandi of choosing the most optimal power-efficiency trade-off.
Now, GF Securities is out with a dedicated note on this topic. After expressing their agreement with Kuo's recent claims, the analysts, Jeff Pu and Evan Lee, went a step further by suggesting that Apple might adopt Intel's 18A-P process for its non-Pro iPhones shipping in 2028.
We know that the iPhone lineup shipping in 2027 will be dubbed the iPhone 20, a homage of sorts to the iPhone's 20th anniversary. As such, it stands to reason that the lineup shipping in 2028 will be called the iPhone 21.
Do note that this is still a prediction, and the analysts expect further visibility as December 2025 comes to a close. Elsewhere, the note informs that the yields on Intel's 18A process reached 60-65 percent in November, and remain on track to hit 70 percent by the end of 2025.
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