此次合作是多重因素共同推动的结果。特朗普政府持续向苹果施压，要求将更多制造环节迁回美国本土，苹果此前已承诺投入 4000 亿美元推进美国制造；美国政府亦持有英特尔约 10%、价值约 90 亿美元的股权，并将其视为美国半导体制造复兴的核心支柱。对英特尔而言，拿下苹果这一年出货逾两亿部手机与数百万台 Mac、iPad 的超级客户，将是其晶圆代工（Intel Foundry）业务迄今最具代表性的里程碑，有助于重建其在台积电面前日益黯淡的代工信誉。值得一提的是，英特尔 20 年前曾错失为苹果 iPhone 代工 A 系列芯片的机会，彼时蒂姆·库克曾向台积电创始人张忠谋抱怨"英特尔不知道如何做晶圆代工"——此番合作也被部分观察者视为迟来的历史性和解。

WSJ | 9to5Mac | MacRumors

Apple and Intel have reached a deal to produce future chips: report - 9to5Mac

Apple has been rumored to partner with Intel on future chips, and according to The Wall Street Journal, a deal has officially been reached.

9to5Mac (9to5mac.com)

Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel

After more than a year of discussion, Apple and Intel established a preliminary agreement that will see Intel manufacturing processors for Apple devices, reports The Wall Street Journal. Intel would make chips based on Apple chip designs, much like TSMC. Prior rumors on Intel's Apple talks have suggested Intel could make some of the lower-end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest-end M-series chip used in select iPad and Mac models.

MacRumors (www.macrumors.com)