[jovial_cavalier]

>Is this how arm vs x86 ends?

No... Intel isn't the only one that makes x86 processors and Qualcomm isn't the only one that makes arm.

Separately, Intel should sell them the flagging chips business and keep the fledgling foundries business separate.

[qwytw]

> flagging chips business

Is it "flagging", though? Intel still seems to be pretty good at designing chips and their next gen laptop chips (made at TSMC) are allegedly more power efficient than the Snapdragon Elite (of course remains to be seen). It's the foundry that's dragging down.

[zeusk]

If you look at the financial statements, it's quite the opposite however?

Their chips made on TSMC process are doing quite well and IFS has failed to secure worthwhile external customers and is losing money in their expansion hand over first.

[jovial_cavalier]

The federal government is clearly ok with supporting a TSMC transition to the states. Something tells me though that they are willing to throw a lot of money at Intel if Intel is willing to fill the same niche that TSMC does currently.

That the chips currently produce more return than foundries is expected - it’s an established business. The foundries require much more up front investment. However the chips side of business has recently begun to show some cracks.

The foundries side of the business is in a different phase of life. It currently needs some TLC but has the potential to be totally ascendant at some point in the future. Assuming snapdragon is more interested in a chips business than a foundries business… it would just make sense to split them. There is tension with both under one roof as it is.

[onepointsixC]

IFS has just announced Amazon as a customer with a design on 18A. Microsoft is also expected to tape out one design. They’re not going to challenge TSMC this decade, but becoming the #2 fab 2030 is achievable.