In July 2025, in a filing with the SEC. Intel stated: “We are focused on the continued development of Intel 14A and on securing a significant external customer for such node. 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 January 2026 Intel’s CFO David Zinsner said at an Intel results call: “What we’re holding back on is 14A because 14A is really linked to foundry customers. It does not make sense to build out significant capacity there until we know that we have customers that will accept that demand.”
So, whileTSMC builds four 1.4nm fabs and budgets $52-56 billion for 2026 capex,. Intel’s 2026 capex is $9 billion and targeted on the Intel 710, Intel 3, and Intel 18A processes with the 1.4nm (14A) next-generation spending paused.
Last week Kevin O’Buckley senior vice-president and general manager of Intel Foundry Services, resigned to go to Qualconm.
The writing appears to be on the wall for Intel’s attempt to catch up in process technology – leaving the leading edge to TSMC and Samsung.
I love the way this site dislikes anything in quotes and ends up with 403 Forbidden. 😀
I was tempted to put quotes around that but it was forbidden.
403 Forbidden is the 2nd worst bane of my life after the closed for essential maintenance notice, zetghost, .my apologies and heartfelt sympathies. And Yes you’re right about fish rot – after Grove, Intel seemed to think they had to stuff the board with the great and the good who are not much use in the semis business.
A fish rots from the head down as the old proverb says.
Yes it didn’t survive in its old hard-driving form for much longer than the Triumvirate, Dick. The choice of Craig Barrett over Dave House showed a mentality – corporateness over culture – which probably started the long process of rot.
Inel have had a very long ride as No 1. It had to end at some point