Well, they might not replace Intel altogether, but simply supplement them for certain features:

https://www.cultofmac.com/465175/apple-developing-custom-mac-chips-wont-replace-intel/

In any case, I think the idea that they are doing this just to get profits from upgrade fees is even more absurd.... For a number of reasons, but mostly because very few people I know had any apps that needed paid upgrades.