Intel's Q4 2025: Supply Crunch Coming But Recovery On Track

Okay so I saw Intel's earnings call last night and had to share what's going on. After posting their worst annual revenue since 2010, Intel's management seems to have gotten things somewhat under control by the end of 2025. The Q4 numbers actually looked pretty decent, all things considered.

But here's where it gets interesting. Just when you think they're turning the corner, Intel drops this bombshell - they're expecting major supply constraints in Q1 2026. That's right now, folks. And get this, they're saying these issues won't fully clear up until Q2 2026. So if you're planning any builds with Intel chips, you might want to move fast or prepare to wait.

The Intel Foundry business is still bleeding money, which honestly isn't shocking. They're ramping up their 18A process node, and that stuff costs serious cash before you see any return. What strikes me is how they're being pretty upfront about the challenges ahead instead of sugarcoating everything like they used to.

Look, I've been watching Intel struggle for the past couple years, and this feels different. The management team actually seems to have a grip on reality now. They're not promising miracles, just steady improvement. The supply constraint warning is annoying for us consumers, but at least they're giving us a heads up instead of leaving us wondering why we can't find chips on shelves.

My take? Intel's not out of the woods yet, but they're finally walking in the right direction. Just don't expect to easily snag their latest processors for the next few months.