Intel CEO embraces its 18A node for external customers as 18A-P gets 'inbound interest' — company cites increasing yields

Intel's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, initially hesitated to promote the company's 18A fabrication technology to external customers due to low yields and unpredictability. However, with increasing interest in the enhanced 18A-P version, Intel is now considering offering it to external clients. Despite ongoing process variability, Intel has made progress in improving 18A yields and has started production of Core Ultra 300-series CPUs. While Intel aims to reach industry-standard yields by 2027, challenges remain with process variability affecting capacity planning. Although big chip designers have evaluated Intel's 18A technology, no commitments have been publicly announced yet.