TLDRs;
- Apple reportedly evaluates YMTC and CXMT to offset rising global DRAM prices and secure future supply.
- AI-driven memory demand pushes Apple to consider alternative chip suppliers for cost efficiency.
- Apple’s interest in Chinese memory could shift supplier power and validate local chip manufacturing efforts.
- U.S.-China export rules likely delay immediate adoption of Chinese chips in American iPhones.
Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares saw modest gains on Wednesday following reports that the tech giant is evaluating Chinese memory chipmakers Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC) and ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) as potential suppliers for future iPhones and iPads.
The move comes amid rising global memory prices and tightening DRAM supply, prompting Apple to explore alternative sourcing options that could reduce costs for its devices.
Exploring Chinese Memory Partnerships
According to industry sources, Apple is considering integrating Chinese memory chips into its product supply chain, although no final decisions have been made. Currently, the company sources most of its DRAM from South Korean giants Samsung and SK Hynix, while Chinese memory has yet to appear in any iPhone or iPad models.
Analysts suggest that adopting Chinese memory could signal a shift in global market dynamics and provide a strong validation of China’s semiconductor technology.
Apple is reportedly considering partnerships with Chinese memory makers YMTC (NAND) and CXMT (DRAM) as the global memory shortage intensifies and Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron prioritize AI memory over smartphone supply.
The move could give Apple leverage in negotiations and… pic.twitter.com/SETDKPe8c5
— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) February 17, 2026
Despite the potential benefits, immediate adoption in iPhones sold in the U.S. is unlikely due to ongoing export restrictions between the U.S. and China. Some experts also speculate that Apple’s reported evaluation of Chinese chips could serve as leverage in negotiations with Korean suppliers, rather than an imminent supply shift.
Rising Memory Prices Drive Alternative Sourcing
The global memory market has tightened significantly as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron redirect more production toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used in AI accelerators. This trend has left less conventional DRAM available, causing prices for standard memory to surge.
Japanese flash-memory manufacturer Kioxia has also raised prices for NAND by roughly double compared to prior levels and moved to quarterly negotiations, complicating budgeting for large tech buyers like Apple. Chinese vendors such as CXMT and YMTC could fill some of these gaps, with CXMT’s DDR5 designs ready but mass production delayed, while YMTC plans to allocate about half of its new Wuhan fab output toward DRAM instead of NAND.
Impact on the Semiconductor Market
Adopting Chinese memory could diversify Apple’s supplier base and strengthen alternative options outside Korea. This development aligns with China’s broader semiconductor self-sufficiency strategy, especially as export restrictions have encouraged domestic manufacturers to expand production and vertically integrate advanced memory supply chains.
YMTC and CXMT plan factory expansions slated for around 2027, which could influence global memory pricing by increasing capacity aimed at domestic demand. Over time, this may erode the pricing leverage of established incumbents like Samsung and SK Hynix, particularly in high-margin markets.
Regulatory and Policy Considerations
While Apple’s interest in Chinese memory chips has strategic and cost-related implications, policy restrictions remain a key barrier. Current U.S.-China export controls limit the use of advanced Chinese memory and packaging technologies in American devices. Sources indicate that Apple’s exploration of YMTC and CXMT chips is not expected to result in immediate U.S. adoption but could reshape future supplier negotiations and market competition.
Analysts say that Apple’s evaluation of Chinese memory represents both a response to immediate market pressures and a potential long-term strategy to diversify suppliers. While the timeline for integration remains uncertain, the move highlights the growing significance of Chinese memory manufacturers in the global semiconductor ecosystem and could signal important shifts for pricing, supply stability, and market share in the years ahead.
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