Intel May Abandon the 18A Process in Favor of 14A

Intel's management is considering phasing out the 1.8 nm process in favor of the more promising 14A, which is promised to be launched by 2028. The decision could change the company's position in the contract manufacturing market.

18A Is Losing Interest Among Customers

According to Reuters, Intel is discussing abandoning the promotion of the 18A (1.8 nm) process among Intel Foundry Services customers. According to unofficial sources, company CEO Lip-Bu Tan believes that the technology is losing its commercial appeal. Instead, it is proposed to focus on the development and promotion of the next generation — the 14A (1.4 nm) process, which is scheduled to launch in 2028.

What Are the 18A and 14A Processes?

The 18A process includes advanced solutions — second-generation RibbonFET transistors with GAA (gate-all-around) architecture and a PowerVia power delivery system that supplies power from the back of the chip. It is also Intel's first technology to support third-party design tools.

Although 18A has not yet completely disappeared from the radar, Intel is already reorienting its resources toward the development of 14A. This technology uses the same base — RibbonFET 2 and PowerDirect BSPDN, where power is supplied directly to the input and output of each transistor. These solutions were originally part of the canceled 20A process. Now Intel is betting that 14A will be a competitive platform by 2028.

Financial Losses

Abandoning 18A will be financially painful: Intel has already spent billions on its development. Nevertheless, such a move could allow the company to reduce operating costs, including those related to sampling support and preparation for mass production. There is also talk of a possible freeze on efforts to attract new customers for 18A and even a complete suspension of external marketing for this technology.