Intel Foundry Direct Connect 2026: 18A Yields Improving, 14A Hinges on First External Customer

Intel held its annual Foundry Direct Connect event in San Jose on March 24, drawing chipmakers, packaging specialists, and hyperscalers to review its process roadmap. CEO Lip-Bu Tan confirmed that Intel 18A — the flagship process powering the Clearwater Forest server CPU — entered high-volume manufacturing in late 2025 and yields are tracking toward profitability targets by late 2026. The company showcased its Glass Substrate packaging technology and updated its advanced 3D chiplet portfolio, emphasizing differentiated offerings versus TSMC's CoWoS. The critical wildcard remains Intel 14A, the first node to use High-NA EUV lithography. Tan said firm commitments from external foundry customers are expected in the second half of 2026, with Apple reportedly evaluating Intel 14A for select chips in its 2029 silicon roadmap. If a marquee name signs on, it would mark a pivotal validation of Intel's foundry ambitions.