Intel 18A Process Might Secure ARM As Its First Customer Through Integration In Mobile SoCs

Intel's next-gen 18A node has garnered immense interest from the industry, with an analyst citing that ARM might be one of the first customers utilizing the new process.

Intel's 18A Process Could Be The Next Breakthrough For The Company's Foundry Business

Now the development isn't new, as we reported a while back that Intel & ARM have signed a long-term deal for the development of next-gen mobile SoCs, presumably using Intel's 18A process tech. However, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is a highly reputable source in the industry, has reiterated ARM's commitment to working with Intel Foundry to make a huge impact in the mobile industry, potentially challenging the likes of Qualcomm and MediaTek.

Intel will likely use 18A advanced node to manufacture ARM’s own chips, benefiting Intel’s foundry business / Intel可能會採用18A先進製程製造ARM自家芯片，這對英特爾的晶圓代工業務可能是利多https://t.co/DW83EuqZj8

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) September 8, 2023

Ming-Chi Kuo discloses that ARM is collaborating with Intel to optimize its processor IP to incorporate Intel's 18A process. Both companies are finding a "hybrid" approach going forward, in a way that doesn't involve a huge risk factor and can potentially provide better costs. The analysts cite that Intel 18A could get featured in ARM's upcoming chips, which could indeed mark a revolution for both companies since they are waiting for an opportunity to make strides in the industry.

The initial implementation is rumored not to be highly competitive. since ARM and Intel currently plan on increasing shipping volumes. However, the collaboration will attract interest from the HPC industry, given that it is currently going through a massive upturn due to the rapid increase in GenAI development.

Now going through some of the advancements anticipated with Intel's 18A process, it will utilize RibbonFET transistors along with a new "PowerVia" delivery method,  which is anticipated to bring significant performance figures onboard. It is disclosed that we could see a 10% gen-to-gen improvement with 18A, which is a high number considered in the fabrication industry. The utilization of the Intel 18A process in chip development could indeed bolster performance figures, putting companies like ARM in a competitive spot.

However, the actual incorporation of Intel's 18A process into ARM chips won't happen until next year, given that IFS doesn't face delays with the fabrication and manufacturing stages. Moreover, the process is also anticipated to be utilized in Intel's next-gen Lunar Lake CPUs as well which are expected to arrive in 2025, hence it could be said that the future indeed holds greatness for Intel and its foundry division.

Written by Muhammad Zuhair