Apple could turn to Samsung for iPhone chips as it looks beyond TSMC, report says

Apple is exploring the idea of having Samsung manufacture chips for future iPhone models, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

The report says Apple is in early-stage talks with both Samsung Electronics and Intel, as it looks to reduce its reliance on long-time partner TSMC by adding alternative manufacturing options.

Bloomberg notes that Apple’s biggest challenge is scale and consistency, with the report stating that “Intel and Samsung can’t reliably offer the type of production and scale that’s turned TSMC into the dominant made-to-order chip manufacturer.”

Apple has spent more than a decade designing its own chips, known as systems-on-a-chip, while relying on TSMC to produce them using the most advanced processes. Current iPhone and Mac models use chips built on a 3-nanometer process.

Samsung is already a key supplier for Apple, producing components like OLED displays for the iPhone, as well as memory used across various devices. Expanding that relationship into chip manufacturing would mark a significant shift, though it’s not yet clear if or when such a move could happen.

The report adds that recent supply constraints, driven in part by demand for AI infrastructure and more powerful Macs, highlight why Apple is considering additional partners.