While Apple's chips are not direct competitors to Intel's, many people think that they are very comparable now. TSMC manufactures 7nm chips and Intel struggles to manufacture 10nm. It seems that they have similar characteristics, so currently Intel does not have clear lead. We just need to wait for AMD to fully leverage 7nm chips, they are direct competitors to Intel and it will be obvious if Intel have any lead.
While I don't like Intel, I really fear that they'll decide to stop progressing and will continue to use 14nm while they still can squeeze any profits. Those tiny processes require tremendous investments and it's unlikely that new players will appear there, at least old ones should survive and compete.
While I don't like Intel, I really fear that they'll decide to stop progressing and will continue to use 14nm while they still can squeeze any profits. Those tiny processes require tremendous investments and it's unlikely that new players will appear there, at least old ones should survive and compete.