[xuki]

I think you have it backwards. Because iOS/macOS can run fine on what Intel fabs can make right now, Apple is not totally dependent on TSMC. In the worst case scenario, they will simply buy all the capacity from Intel, they have enough cash to do so.

Nvidia on the other hand need the latest tech to squeeze the most performance out of their chips for AI companies.

[martinald]

But Intel don't manufacture any ARM mobile SoCs that would be suitable for iPhones and iPads? It's not just a case of "upload A18 design, press print". It is at least a year or two of getting the processes up and running and validated.

So if TSMC went down tomorrow, you can't exactly phone Intel up and say "hi we need 1billion m-series chips a year, starting in a few weeks?"

If they owned it they could start doing that in the background.