Nvidia Surpasses Apple as TSMC's Largest Customer
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 22 2026
0mins
Should l Buy INTC?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Customer Status Shift: Nvidia's CEO claims that Nvidia has overtaken Apple as TSMC's largest customer, highlighting the robust demand for AI chips, which may intensify competition for manufacturing capacity for Apple.
- Diminishing Privileges for Apple: As Nvidia rises, Apple's preferential treatment at TSMC appears to be waning, leading to higher manufacturing costs and increased pressure to compete with other customers, potentially destabilizing its product supply chain.
- Increased Opportunities for Intel: Analysts suggest that Apple is considering using Intel's manufacturing processes, potentially producing 15 to 20 million chips annually, which presents new market opportunities for Intel and could reshape its competitive landscape in AI.
- Future Outlook: With Apple planning new product launches from 2027 to 2029, securing sufficient chip supply becomes critical, and the rise of Nvidia alongside changes in TSMC's priorities may drive Apple to seek alternative manufacturing sources to meet market demand.
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Analyst Views on INTC
Wall Street analysts forecast INTC stock price to fall
29 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
19 Hold
5 Sell
Hold
Current: 65.700
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
Current: 65.700
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
About INTC
Intel Corporation is a global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products. The Company operates through three segments: Intel Products, Intel Foundry, and All Other. Its Intel Products segment includes Client Computing Group (CCG), Data Center and AI (DCAI), Network and Edge (NEX). The CCG is bringing together the operating system, system architecture, hardware, and software application integration to enable PC experiences. DCAI delivers workload-optimized solutions to cloud service providers and enterprises, along with silicon devices for communications service providers, network and edge, and HPC customers. NEX helps networks and edge compute systems from fixed-function hardware to general-purpose compute, acceleration, and networking devices running cloud native software on programmable hardware. The Intel Foundry segment comprises technology development, manufacturing and foundry services. All Other segments include Altera, Mobileye, Other.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.

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- Positive Market Reaction: Following the afternoon stock prices on April 16, 2026, Intel's shares rose by 3.90%, indicating investor optimism regarding the company's future growth potential and bolstering market confidence.
- Enhanced Manufacturing Capacity: These investments will enable Intel to expand its semiconductor production capabilities to meet the increasing market demand, particularly in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence, ensuring its leadership position at the forefront of technology.
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- Analyst Optimism: Wall Street analysts view Ternus's promotion as a potential catalyst for revitalizing Apple and its AI strategy, with Morgan Stanley analysts noting that his appointment underscores Apple's continued focus on product-centric strategies, reinforcing its core competitive advantages in the market.
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- AI Strategy Challenge: Upon taking the helm, Ternus will face significant challenges in revamping Apple's lagging AI strategy, particularly with the slow progress of the Siri model, and analysts believe his leadership could reignite optimism in Apple's AI initiatives.
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- Supply Chain Issues: Intel investors are focusing on the company's efforts to resolve supply chain challenges that have limited its ability to ramp up chip production to meet the rising demand from businesses adopting AI-related services.
- Production Constraints: Intel has warned that supply shortages for its server chips, particularly those used alongside graphics processors from companies like Nvidia, will be most acute in the first quarter, with some easing expected in the second quarter.
- Growing Market Demand: As more businesses adopt AI services, the production challenges faced by Intel could impact its market share, especially in the highly competitive semiconductor industry.
- Need for Strategic Adjustments: To address supply chain bottlenecks, Intel may need to reassess its production strategies to ensure it can meet future market demands and maintain competitiveness.
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- Demand-Driven Upgrade: HSBC upgraded Intel's rating from Hold to Buy, emphasizing that the sustained demand for server CPUs is the main driver of the company's growth, with expected server CPU shipments to increase by 20% year-over-year in 2026.
- Price Increase Expectations: In a high-demand and supply-constrained environment, Intel anticipates raising average selling prices, with a projected 20% year-over-year increase in 2026, significantly boosting the company's revenue and gross margins.
- Optimistic Financial Outlook: Analysts expect Intel's revenue for the second quarter to reach $14.2 billion, exceeding Wall Street estimates by 9%, indicating that the company's competitiveness in the market is strengthening.
- Long-Term Growth Potential: The server CPU shortage is expected to extend into 2027, driving a further 20% increase in shipments and a 10% rise in average selling prices, laying a solid foundation for Intel's long-term growth.
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