Apple said to be talking to Intel and Samsung about building key device processors

Apple has reportedly approached Samsung and Intel about building "main device chips" in a bid to reduce its dependence on TSMC, Bloomberg has reported. The iPhone maker is said to have had early-stage talks with Intel and recently visited a Samsung chip plant currently under development in Texas. No orders have been placed so far and talks with both suppliers are still preliminary, according to sources familiar with the matter. 

Over the last decade Apple has relied mainly on TSMC to build the processors (system-on-chips, or SoCs) that power its iPhones, iPads and, more recently, Macs. Apple is reportedly uncomfortable with having a single supplier for any component, though. Former CEO Tim Cook specifically called out this problem last week during Apple's earnings call, saying "we have less flexibility in the supply chain than we normally would." The problem has been compounded by a chip shortage, with manufacturing ...