intel and Apple resume the "chip conference" with stock prices big pump, is Apple giving up on the M series chips to return to Intel's Core Ultra?

Intel is reportedly seeking strategic investment from Apple, reuniting five years after their split, reflecting the pressure of transformation in the AI era and the tug-of-war over U.S. chip policy. (Background: Intel's radical proposal: "delisting and splitting" its foundry and design divisions; can Trump and Nvidia team up to reshape America's chip dominance?) (Supplementary background: Nvidia announces a $5 billion investment in Intel: collaborating on chip design, Intel's stock surged 30% pre-market.) The fallen U.S. chip leader Intel is now in talks with Apple for strategic investment, shocking the tech and financial markets. This partnership, which once collaborated closely but parted ways in 2020, is now at the negotiation table, unveiling a high-stakes discussion involving capital, policy, and technology. Five years after their split, Intel is reaching out. Intel processors were once the "heart" of global PCs, but in recent years, their leading advantage has been eroded by AMD and Nvidia, coupled with missed opportunities in the AI chip growth wave, putting pressure on operations. Apple initiated its Apple Silicon project in 2020 and completely stopped using Intel chips in 2023, severing its reliance. Now, Intel turns to Apple for help, hoping not only to attract cash but also to gain the trust endorsement of a heavyweight ally. Following the news, Intel's stock surged by 6.42%, marking the third concrete action taken by an entity to rescue Intel since the U.S. government's intervention, with the stock price rising 67% from last year's low. Government and capital drive "IDM 2.0" CEO Chen Liwu (Lip-Bu Tan) is actively promoting IDM 2.0, aiming to upgrade the company into a comprehensive foundry that balances advanced manufacturing and design. In August, the U.S. government acquired about 10% of Intel's equity through the "Chip Act," becoming its largest external shareholder, reducing investment risks. Market funds are also following suit: Nvidia invested $5 billion for about a 4% stake and data center collaboration; SoftBank invested $2 billion, betting on the 18A process. After the news broke, Intel's stock jumped 6.4% to $31.22, accumulating over 60% gains since early August. Apple's calculation: supply chain and localization Analysts generally do not believe Apple will revert to using Intel processors, as its self-developed chip strategy has already taken shape. However, Apple has recently emphasized its investments in the U.S.: during an August White House event, it raised its future investment commitment in the U.S. from $500 billion to $600 billion, which includes $2.5 billion for Corning. Tim Cook stated that more domestic production would create a "domino effect" and expressed: "I welcome Intel's comeback." Should Apple take a stake, external speculation suggests the focus will be on advanced packaging or foundry capacity; on one hand, it aligns with government initiatives, and on the other hand, it diversifies reliance on TSMC, reducing geopolitical risks. Next steps in the industry chess game Intel extending an olive branch to Apple is a self-rescue measure under the AI wave and policy support, also illustrating the accelerated restructuring of the semiconductor industry zone. Regardless of whether negotiations can be finalized, this "reunion" has revealed three signals: first, national security considerations are deeply intervening in the chip supply chain; second, the capital market is willing to give established companies with advanced process potential another chance; third, tech giants will exchange investments for supply chain dominance. Whether Intel can leverage this to regain its glory, and whether Apple can strengthen its ecosystem moat through this, the market is watching. The high-tech power game continues, and Bloomberg will keep tracking the negotiation progress and subsequent impacts. Related reports Are Ethereum staking bottlenecks approaching? DAT, staking ETFs, and chain reactions of optimism Vitalik's new article: Low-risk DeFi for Ethereum is like searching for Google Ethereum "generates love": Developers' salaries are only 50% of peers, motivated by a sense of mission? <Intel and Apple reopen the "chip meeting" stock prices skyrocket, Apple abandons M series chips to return to Intel Core Ultra?> This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.