Apple is in talks with the Chinese memory chip manufacturer CXMT to secure the supply of components for its devices in China. This could help the company cope with the chip shortage, but there are regulatory restrictions from the United States.
According to the Wall Street Journal, collaboration between Apple and CXMT faces difficulties due to U.S. regulations that prohibit transferring technological details and product specifications to Chinese companies. This complicates the ordering of chips specially designed for Apple. Currently, the regulations only allow Apple to purchase ready-made standard components from CXMT. Analysts note that adapting standard chips may require changes in the design of the company’s devices, which could affect product costs.
The negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of rising memory chip prices, which affect Apple’s products worldwide. CXMT is currently unable to fully meet Apple’s needs due to limited production capabilities and a lag in technological development compared to foreign competitors. Despite this, companies such as HP and Acer are already using CXMT chips in their products.
U.S. officials are wary of the potential ordering of chips from a Chinese manufacturer, as this could give CXMT greater access to American technology and finance. CXMT primarily collaborates with Chinese technology companies such as ByteDance, Tencent, and Xiaomi, and plans to expand its production capacity by 2028.
The increase in chip prices that has affected the prices of all Apple devices is a result of a global shortage related to the boom in artificial intelligence development. The cost of RAM has already increased several times, and Apple is forced to raise prices for its products, including the iPhone and other devices. This is a serious challenge for the company, which has so far tried to avoid passing the growth in costs onto the end consumer.
| Period | Memory Price Increase (%) |
|---|---|
| 1st Quarter 2026 | 98% |
| Current Quarter | 58-63% |
