Intel Might Quit Cutting-Edge Chips If No One Buys In

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Under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel’s foundry division is expected to undergo significant changes. One major change will be the decision to drop the pursuit of cutting-edge chips if it doesn’t see high external customer interest.

Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan is Expected to Take Drastic Steps to Lead the Business Back to Glory, Even If It Requires Abandoning IFS

Team Blue recently reported its Q2 earnings, indicating that things are not going well for Intel. The company is under operating losses despite large-scale layoffs. CEO Tan plans foundational changes to Intel’s business strategies, with one major hit being the foundry division. According to Intel’s 10-Q filing, Team Blue won’t hesitate to drop from the race of cutting-edge nodes like 18A or 14A if it doesn’t see significant external volume.

Intel, the home of Moore’s Law, for the first time in history, is evaluating if it will continue at the leading edge. From its 10-Q

“However, if we are unable to secure a significant external customer and meet important customer milestones for Intel 14A, we face the prospect… pic.twitter.com/7Bpk7vRcE9

— SemiAnalysis (@SemiAnalysis_) July 24, 2025

Intel faces uncertainty about its foundry division for two main reasons. First, the chip market is dominated by TSMC, which has taken all the spotlight. Despite Intel’s progress with the 18A process, markets remain committed to TSMC, leaving Intel in doubt. More importantly, billions have been invested in Intel Foundry Services (IFS), but no breakthroughs have occurred that could reverse business momentum. Here is what Intel specifically said about its foundry business:

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October 8, 2025

However, if we are unable to secure a significant external customer and meet important customer milestones for Intel 14A, we face the prospect that it will not be economical to develop and manufacture Intel 14A and successor leading-edge nodes on a go-forward basis. In such event, we may pause or discontinue our pursuit of Intel 14A and successor nodes and various of our manufacturing expansion projects.

We previously reported that Intel might abandon the 18A process if it doesn’t see significant external volume with 18A. CEO Tan is ready to make dramatic decisions. For now, 18A is more focused on internal products like Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest, while the prospects of 14A are starting to look promising. The future may see a chip market dominated by TSMC with no signs of American semiconductors, especially after TSMC’s pivot towards the US.

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📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz

10 Points

According to the passage, what major change is expected in Intel's foundry division under the new CEO Lip-Bu Tan?

A. Continuing to pursue cutting-edge chips regardless of customer interest B. Abandoning the pursuit of cutting-edge chips if there is no high external customer interest C. Increasing investment in TSMC's foundry services D. Expanding its chip market share by acquiring other companies

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