Intel seeks Apple investment to aid its comeback
Intel Corp. has approached Apple Inc. about a potential investment as part of its ongoing turnaround efforts, according to people familiar with the matter. The talks, still in the early stages, reflect Intel’s push to secure new partners and funding after years of declining competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.
The discussions have also included ways for the two companies to collaborate more closely, though it remains uncertain whether an agreement will materialize. Apple has not publicly commented, while Intel declined to respond to requests for comment.
A deal with Apple would represent a major boost for Intel’s revival campaign. The Silicon Valley chipmaker, once the undisputed leader in processors, has seen its technological edge erode while rivals such as Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia surged ahead. Intel has struggled to keep pace with demand for artificial intelligence hardware — a segment that helped propel Nvidia to record sales and a towering market valuation.
Intel Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan, who took over amid government-backed restructuring efforts, has been lining up corporate partners to restore the company’s fortunes. The U.S. government last month acquired a roughly 10% stake in Intel through a deal arranged under the Trump administration, citing the company’s importance to domestic chip production.
Recent weeks have brought other high-profile investments: Nvidia committed $5 billion to work with Intel on personal computer and data center chips, while SoftBank Group Corp. pledged $2 billion to expand its U.S. technology footprint. Intel has also been in contact with additional firms about possible deals.
Apple, which famously abandoned Intel processors in favor of its own silicon for Macs in 2020, remains an unlikely candidate to reverse course on chip design. The iPhone maker’s most advanced chips are produced by longtime partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Still, a financial or strategic investment could serve Apple’s broader goal of showcasing its support for U.S. manufacturing.
In August, Apple announced plans to increase its domestic investment pledge to $600 billion over four years, up from $500 billion previously. The announcement included a $2.5 billion commitment to Corning Inc., its longtime glass supplier. Chief Executive Tim Cook has emphasized that such moves are meant to create a “domino effect,” encouraging other firms to expand production in the U.S.
For Intel, regaining relevance remains a steep climb. Once the cornerstone of global chipmaking, the Santa Clara–based company has been forced to lay off workers, delay factory projects, and cede market share to faster-moving rivals. Despite these challenges, optimism has returned to Wall Street since the government’s backing, with Intel shares climbing more than 50% since early August.
A potential Apple partnership, even short of a full supply deal, would further validate Intel’s turnaround push and underline the growing intersection of technology and U.S. industrial policy.
