Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) may be preparing to exit external marketing of its 18A chip manufacturing technology, a major pivot under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, according to a Reuters report citing sources familiar with the matter. The potential strategy marks a reset of the company's ambitious — and struggling — foundry business as it seeks to regain technological relevance and court marquee clients like Apple and NVIDIA.

Tan, who took over in March 2025, inherited a company weighed down by an $18.8 billion annual loss in 2024, largely blamed on underwhelming foundry performance and delays in the rollout of its next-generation chip technologies.

Intel's 18A Retreat: Reset or Write-Down?

Intel's 18A node — once touted by former CEO Pat Gelsinger as the cornerstone of Intel's comeback — is now being reevaluated. While Intel will continue using 18A internally and for existing obligations to major partners like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Tan is reportedly preparing to shift external client focus toward a more competitive successor: the 14A process.

Abandoning 18A for external clients could force a multibillion-dollar write-down, but the company views the move as necessary to position itself as a serious challenger to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), currently the global leader in advanced semiconductor fabrication.

Strategic Shift to Target Apple and NVIDIA

The 14A pivot is designed to position Intel to win back top-tier clients such as Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) — both of whom currently depend on TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm and 5nm nodes.

While Intel has yet to finalize this internal strategic overhaul, sources said the board will review Tan's proposal later this month, though a final decision may not come until fall.

Foundry Performance in Focus

Investors and analysts will be closely watching Intel's next earnings release to assess how this potential strategy shift affects forward guidance, capex plans, and client engagement. The
👉 Earnings Calendar API
provides key dates for upcoming reports and earnings surprises to monitor market reaction.

For ongoing performance tracking, Intel's
👉 Key Metrics TTM API
offers vital trailing data such as revenue per share, R&D investment trends, and operating margins — critical indicators as Intel adjusts its long-term roadmap.

Conclusion
Intel's potential pivot away from marketing 18A externally marks a high-stakes moment for its foundry business. With pressure mounting to secure next-generation clients and compete with TSMC, CEO Lip-Bu Tan appears ready to make tough, strategic calls. Whether the gamble pays off will depend on execution — and how quickly 14A can scale to meet elite global demand.