Apple would likely not adopt RISC-V as their primary architecture.
Apple would likely not adopt RISC-V as their primary architecture.
Apple might have considered moving from ARM to RISC-V, given its focus on performance efficiency and energy savings. RISC-V offers a simpler instruction set and is open-source, which could allow Apple to save on licensing costs and develop custom chips internally. Similar to past transitions like PowerPC to Intel and Apple Silicon, such a shift seems plausible in the future. What are your thoughts?
It hinges on several considerations. I mentioned the ARM versus x86 debate, but the same logic applies to any comparison with RISC-V. The advantage lies in gaining more autonomy. Performance and efficiency aren't the only factors. Independence plays a role too—Apple chose ARM because it allowed tighter control over their hardware designs. While the ISA ownership remains with others, this design freedom helped them maintain flexibility. If Apple and Qualcomm reach a mutual understanding, they might avoid such changes. In tough situations, RISC-V could become a viable alternative. Although it may take several years, moving quickly would save time compared to starting from scratch.