Apple Explores Intel, Samsung to Offset TSMC’s 3nm Supply Constraints
Apple held talks with Intel and toured Samsung’s Texas fabs to explore US-based production for its advanced 3nm SoCs. It expects just 100 million chips from TSMC’s Arizona plant in 2026, highlighting shortages that have constrained Mac Studio, Mac mini and iPhone 17 Pro shipments and Taiwan concentration risk.
1. Apple Explores US Fabrication Partnerships
Apple held preliminary discussions with Intel’s foundry team and toured Samsung’s Texas wafer fabs as it seeks to establish US-based backup capacity for the custom 3nm SoCs powering its key devices.
2. Advanced 3nm Shortages Disrupt Shipments
The exploration reflects advanced-node supply shortages that have delayed Mac Studio, Mac mini and iPhone 17 Pro shipments as Apple battles tighter chip availability driven by rising AI data-center demand and increased local AI model workloads.
3. Implications for TSMC and Supply Diversification
While TSMC plans to deliver 100 million chips from its Arizona facility in 2026, this volume represents a small fraction of Apple’s annual needs, prompting the company to seek additional manufacturing partners to diversify risk and strengthen its supply chain leverage.