Overview
- A Weibo leak published on July 3 said Intel’s 18A process would produce the A20 for the base iPhone 18, a claim picked up by multiple outlets.
- Hours later a respected hardware tipster, Jukan, reviewed the same Tata-linked leaked documents and reported there was no mention of Intel handling the A20, calling the original source unreliable.
- The refutation does not contradict earlier, corroborated reporting that Apple and Intel signed a preliminary fabrication agreement in May and that Apple has obtained Intel PDK samples to test the 18A-P process for low-volume M7 chips.
- Analysts say Apple is exploring foundry alternatives because high AI demand is straining TSMC’s advanced-node capacity and could push Apple to split future runs, with TSMC likely keeping high-end Pro chips on its most advanced nodes.
- Watch for concrete confirmations from Apple, Intel, or TSMC on future A-series production plans because leak provenance and tipster credibility have proven decisive for how quickly and widely such manufacturing claims spread.