- Apple is reportedly exploring partnerships with Chinese memory makers to diversify its DRAM supply
- Chinese memory production is on the rise, giving Apple potential leverage in contracts
- Apple aims to reduce dependence on Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron supplies
Apple is reportedly considering partnerships with Chinese memory makers Yangtze Memory Technologies ( YMTC ) and Changxin Storage ( CXMT ) as negotiations with major global suppliers remain challenging.
The iPhone maker faces quarterly price discussions with Kioxia and other incumbent suppliers, complicating efforts to stabilize costs for DRAM and NAND components.
This exploration of Chinese partners, reported by Ijiwei (via WCCFTECH) appears to be aimed at securing additional supply options and potentially reducing reliance on Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron.
Vendor landscape and memory constraints
Apple currently gets about 60% of its DRAM from Samsung Electronics, with the rest supplied by SK Hynix and Micron, while on the NAND side, Samsung, SK Hynix and Kioxia provide most of the supply.
These arrangements require ongoing adjustments due to price fluctuations, which have doubled in some quarters, putting pressure on Apple’s margins and production planning.
RAM availability remains limited, affecting expected output for several product lines, and in addition, HDD-based storage modules in certain devices continue to require careful supply monitoring.
In light of these uncertainties, Chinese memory manufacturers such as YMTC and CXMT have expanded production capacity, with CXMT preparing for mass production of HBM3 memory chips.
While their chips do not yet match the performance levels of the established “big three”, the technology gap in NAND is narrowing.
This development suggests potential room for Apple to negotiate terms that could improve security of supply and cost predictability.
An increased production scale in China could provide additional volume to meet the quarterly demand requirements for both DRAM and NAND.
But engaging with Chinese suppliers, especially for advanced chips, carries operational, regulatory and geopolitical risks.
Both YMTC and CXMT were briefly placed on the Pentagon’s Restricted Companies List, raising concerns about export controls and compliance obligations.
Any deal must also ensure compatibility with Apple’s existing hardware designs, which will include HDD storage in specific configurations to prevent production disruptions or product quality issues.
Apple’s move to consider YMTC and CXMT follows a period of memory price volatility and tighter supply in the first half of 2026.
Quarterly negotiation schedules with Kioxia and other suppliers add to the complexity of maintaining consistent margins.
The company is expected to weigh additional memory channels against existing supply security, ensuring that production schedules for Mac and iPhone lines remain unaffected.
The exploration of Chinese partners comes alongside ongoing efforts to manage the cost and availability of both DRAM and NAND for high-demand devices.
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