Apple Tests CXMT Memory Chips for China-Market iPhones and MacBooks

Apple is testing products from Chinese memory chip maker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for use in its product lines such as iPhone and MacBook. According to related reports, Apple has held early negotiations with CXMT to use these chips in devices sold in the Chinese market, and is seeking approval from the U. S. government. Apple has previously applied to the U. Department of Commerce to purchase Chinese memory chips to alleviate supply pressure caused by high memory chip prices. U. rules allow Apple to buy off-the-shelf components from CXMT but prohibit custom chips.

As memory chip prices have risen due to surging demand from AI companies, Apple has increased product prices globally. Apple believes current memory chip prices are unsustainable, and major suppliers including SK Hynix, Samsung, Micron, and SanDisk have had their capacity largely occupied by demand from hyperscale data centers. Apple hopes to ease cost pressure by securing Chinese chip supply and has conducted lobbying activities for this purpose.

Other device makers are also seeking CXMT supply. Laptop makers HP and Acer have begun using CXMT memory chips in devices sold outside the U. to alleviate memory supply tightness. These companies face similar memory supply pressures and have chosen to adopt Chinese chips as an alternative.

CXMT's market share is growing. Its second-quarter revenue increased more than eightfold year-on-year, and its global DRAM market share reached 7%. CXMT completed its initial public offering last month. Although its chip technology lags behind Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, its production capacity is largely allocated. Additionally, another Chinese memory chip maker, Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC), focuses on NAND flash, and its market share is expanding, approaching SanDisk's level.