The announcement underscores Apple’s ongoing effort to reduce reliance on overseas manufacturing and increase resilience amid rising geopolitical and trade uncertainties. The chips to be supplied are expected to support next generation devices, including iPhones and Macs, beginning as early as 2026.
“Apple is committed to building a more secure and sustainable supply chain,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “Working with Samsung’s new US facility aligns with that vision and supports innovation and job creation in the United States.”
Samsung’s $17 billion chip factory, currently under construction about 30 miles northeast of Austin, is being positioned as a cutting-edge manufacturing hub focused on producing advanced logic chips. Once operational, the facility is expected to play a key role in supporting both American and international tech firms seeking locally produced semiconductors.
The partnership between Apple and Samsung fierce competitors in the smartphone market is not unprecedented. Despite their rivalry, the two companies have maintained a complex business relationship for years, with Samsung serving as a supplier of displays, memory chips, and other components for Apple’s devices.
Analysts say the move signals Apple’s strategic alignment with US-based chip production efforts, a trend accelerated by recent supply chain disruptions and rising tensions in East Asia.
“It’s a pragmatic decision by Apple,” said Daniel Iwata, a senior analyst at TechInsights. “Domestic chip production adds a layer of stability and ensures better control over critical components, especially as demand for custom silicon continues to rise.”
The development also comes as Washington pushes for increased semiconductor manufacturing on US soil. The Biden administration’s CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022, includes substantial subsidies and tax incentives for chipmakers like Samsung to expand American operations.
Samsung said the Taylor plant is on track to begin mass production in the second half of 2026, with initial output expected to include 3 nanometer and 4 nanometer process nodes — among the most advanced in the industry.
For Apple, securing capacity at such a facility could help ensure a steady supply of high-performance chips for its custom silicon lineup, which powers everything from iPhones to Macs and future AI-driven products.
Industry observers say Apple’s decision may encourage other tech giants to follow suit, increasing demand for domestically produced semiconductors and deepening partnerships between American firms and global chipmakers operating on US soil.
source: reuters.com