Apple and Samsung want to buy Intel, too - rumors

It seems that Qualcomm isn't the only company interested in acquiring Intel. Rumor has it that Samsung and Apple are also looking into the possibility of acquiring the tech giant with its own manufacturing capabilities.

Recently, Intel has been facing significant challenges. Following a wave of layoffs and the announcement of its manufacturing unit's spin-off, the company's financial report indicated losses exceeding $2 billion (primarily due to restructuring). Additionally, Intel has halted construction on a $30 billion factory in Germany. As a result, NVIDIA is aiming to take Intel's spot in the Dow Jones index as a more successful company.

There are also issues with processors. The thirteenth and fourteenth generations (Meteor Lake) experienced instability, which has only been partially resolved recently. The latest Intel Core Ultra 200S processors (Arrow Lake) appear to be underperforming commercially—due to a lack of noticeable performance improvements and the need to purchase a new motherboard, while AMD has supported its own platform for nearly a decade, even with the release of new models.

Therefore, the sale of Intel would be a remarkable, yet not entirely unbelievable, event. Earlier reports indicated Qualcomm's intention to acquire the company, which allegedly approached Intel with an offer, but temporarily put it on hold due to the U.S. elections, according to later rumors.

The reports regarding Apple seem odd, as the company has long been developing its own ARM-based processor architecture. However, the potential instability in Taiwan and the presence of TSMC there could make acquiring an American company advantageous. It would also weaken Qualcomm’s competitive position. Intel's intellectual property would be beneficial to any chip manufacturer.

Samsung shares similar motivations, as it also reportedly strives for an acquisition. The Exynos line is also struggling, and additional manufacturing capabilities would benefit the company. However, it's important to note that any such deal would likely face strong opposition from U.S. antitrust regulators, as demonstrated by NVIDIA's failed acquisition of ARM.

It’s wise to approach these rumors with skepticism. The original source, the YouTube channel Moore's Law is Dead, sometimes resorts to provocative statements that are not corroborated by other sources and do not come to fruition. Overall, the prospect of anyone acquiring Intel seems remote—unless it’s in parts.