Trust fall: TSMC's relationship with Apple is something Intel struggles to match - AppleInsider

The partnership between TSMC and Apple has become a benchmark case in the semiconductor industry, with this deep technological collaboration being difficult for competitors like Intel to match. Apple'... Read original →

The deep collaboration between TSMC and Apple has become a pivotal force driving technological advancement in the semiconductor industry. Apple’s stringent demands for 3nm and beyond processes compel TSMC to invest heavily in EUV lithography and advanced nodes, creating a self-reinforcing innovation loop. This dynamic weakens Intel’s competitiveness in mobile chips, exposing its lag in process technology. From a supply chain perspective, TSMC’s reliability supports Apple’s innovation cadence, reinforcing its strategic dominance. Should Intel fail to close the technological gap by 2025, it risks losing Apple’s future chip contracts and market relevance. Amid U.S.-China tech decoupling, the TSMC-Apple alliance strengthens the role of Taiwan, China in global high-end manufacturing, while Intel faces mounting pressure. Over the next 12–24 months, if Intel does not pivot aggressively, its market share in advanced manufacturing is likely to shrink further, while TSMC could solidify its global supply chain leadership.