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Reports suggest Nvidia and Apple are exploring using Intel’s foundry and advanced packaging capacity for future chips from around 2028.
The discussions center on Intel’s 18A and 14A process nodes as part of its push to grow external foundry services.
Any formal agreements could influence the balance of global chip manufacturing capacity and U.S. supply chain planning.
Intel (NasdaqGS:INTC) is best known for its PC and data center processors. Management has been repositioning the company as a contract manufacturer for other chip designers. Interest from Nvidia and Apple would place Intel more directly in competition with established foundries that handle much of the world’s advanced chip output. For investors, this development relates to whether Intel’s manufacturing roadmap is attracting large, technically demanding customers.
The potential partnerships are still at the discussion stage and any production would be years away. As a result, this is more about future capacity and customer mix than near-term earnings. If even part of this foundry work materializes, it could broaden Intel’s revenue sources and give the company stronger ties across the U.S. chip supply chain. The key question for you is how much weight to put on these early signals when assessing Intel’s longer-term role in global manufacturing.
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NasdaqGS:INTC Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026
How Intel stacks up against its biggest competitors
For Intel, having Nvidia and Apple explore using its foundry and advanced packaging capacity from around 2028 points to early customer interest in its push to manufacture chips for others, an area where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Samsung are key competitors. Given Intel’s recent Q4 2025 net loss of US$591 million and guidance for a Q1 2026 loss per share, investors may see these talks as relevant to whether the foundry segment can eventually become a meaningful contributor alongside the existing PC and data center businesses.
The reports fit closely with the existing Intel narrative that focuses on an AI centric product roadmap and building trust in its foundry services with large, technically demanding customers. Interest from Nvidia and Apple lines up with the idea that Intel’s manufacturing roadmap and advanced packaging could support external clients, which is one of the ways analysts have framed a possible improvement in revenue mix and use of Intel’s manufacturing assets over time.
Potential validation of Intel’s 18A and 14A manufacturing processes if talks eventually convert into concrete foundry or packaging contracts.
Possible progress toward the turnaround story that links AI workloads, foundry customers and better use of existing fabs, especially after recent cost cuts and job reductions.
The discussions are early and any production is years away, while Intel is currently loss making and guiding to another quarterly loss, so the financial impact is uncertain.
Execution risk remains high as Intel still faces internal supply constraints and tough competition from TSMC, AMD and Nvidia in key product categories.
From here, the key things to track are whether Intel, Nvidia or Apple confirm any binding agreements, how Intel’s foundry segment losses evolve, and whether upcoming guidance gives more clarity on capacity, yields and capital spending. If you want to see how this potential foundry work fits with different long term viewpoints on Intel, check community narratives and fair value debates through the community narratives for Intel on Simply Wall St.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include INTC.
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