Apple tests Chinese memory chips for some devices
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Apple has reportedly started testing memory chips made by Chinese manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies, or CXMT, for some products including iPhones and MacBooks as the AI boom tightens supply. The Wall Street Journal, cited by both reports, said Apple has also held preliminary talks with CXMT about supplying parts for some products sold in China. Neither Apple nor CXMT had publicly commented on the report at the time. Apple is also said to be seeking US government approval for any supply arrangement, while existing US rules may limit technical exchanges needed for procurement.
Key Points
- The reported testing covers some Apple products, including iPhone smartphones and MacBook laptops, as memory-chip shortages intensify under strong AI-related demand.
- Apple and CXMT have reportedly held preliminary discussions on component supply, with a focus on using the chips in some Apple products sold in China.
- The reports say a stable Chinese supply source could help Apple ease cost pressure and improve bargaining power amid rising memory prices.
- SingTao said Apple has been raising product prices globally, blaming stronger AI demand for memory chips and the resulting increase in costs
- CRHK said CXMT was previously placed on a US Defense Department list of firms linked to China’s military, while US rules restrict technology sharing
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong consumers, any shift in Apple’s component sourcing could affect future device pricing and product availability in the China market, which often influences regional supply patterns. The report also underlines how geopolitics and AI-driven chip shortages are increasingly shaping the cost and configuration of mainstream consumer electronics.