Chip 18A Intel reportedly delayed until 2026 in the middle of a low level of results making large-scale production economically cannot be done, but this is why it might really be a good thing

The 18A Intel process that is highly anticipated is in the current uncertainty, because the rumors of new claim that HVM is pushed forward to next year, following the level of poor results.

Intel will not continue with the results of 18A below the standard for high volume making, instead aims for almost perfect output

Well, things haven’t changed as they should be for the blue team now. More importantly, with all political and economic chaos, the company faces uncertainty about the future of its current casting division. Now, according to a new report by Hankyung, internal sources in Intel said that the 18A process could be pushed into 2026, because the current level of results only made mass production cannot be done for the company. This will place the potential lineup of Lake Panther under danger as well.

Intel’s original plan is to mass producing its laptop CPU, “Panther Lake,” uses the 18A process at the end of the year and then attracts external customers. However, there are rumors both inside and outside Intel that the full scale production of the 18A process has been pushed back to 2026 due to low results.

Although the news might seem a little disappointing, actually not when you see a wider spectrum. According to our discussion with the company, Intel has never had a plan for HVM from Kitul 18A by Q4 2025; Conversely, the company intends to increase PTL production in the first quarter of 2026, so the report is in line with it. However, one interesting element here is that the CEO of Lip-Bu Tan is not ready for mass production at the level of sub-par results, although they are reported about 55%-65%.

Intel often chooses a low level of yield for the HVM stage, which not only causes operating losses but also a poor final product. Given that the company is preparing 18A, which comes with a higher level of yield, there is a better opportunity to compete externally and internal. Because the main purpose of Intel is to reduce operating losses and increase shareholder value, developing a process that is competitive with TSMC will position it much better for the economic rebound.

For now, uncertainty about the Intel plan, especially for the casting division, permanent, but under all negative things, the company actually struggles for breakthroughs by adopting standards and strong actions, such as layoffs widespread.