Apple Seeks U.S. Approval to Buy DRAM From China’s CXMT as Memory Prices Surge
Apple is reportedly trying to secure permission from the Trump administration to purchase large volumes of DRAM memory chips from China’s CXMT, a move that could help the company reduce pressure from soaring component costs and loosen its dependence on the dominant memory suppliers.
The effort comes at a critical moment for Apple. Memory prices have climbed sharply, putting pressure on the company’s product margins across major devices, including the iPhone, Mac, and iPad. With DRAM and flash storage costs rising faster than expected, Apple appears to be searching for a new supply option that can offer both scale and more competitive pricing.
According to the report, Apple has approached the U.S. Commerce Department and is also making its case to other officials and policy allies in Washington. The company is seeking clear authorization to buy DRAM from CXMT, even though the Chinese chipmaker remains under U.S. scrutiny due to alleged ties to China’s military sector.
For Apple, the decision carries obvious political risk. Any move involving Chinese semiconductor suppliers could draw attention in Washington, especially at a time when U.S.-China technology tensions remain high. However, the company may see CXMT as one of the few realistic alternatives in a memory market dominated by Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron.
Apple has already felt the impact of the global memory squeeze. The company recently raised prices across parts of its Mac and iPad lineup, with rising memory costs cited as a major factor. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly described the current surge in memory chip pricing as one of the most extreme component cost increases he has seen in decades.
The numbers show why Apple is under pressure. LPDDR5X 12GB contract prices have reportedly surged significantly since early 2025, with pricing moving from around $120 per unit earlier in 2026 to roughly $145 more recently. Flash storage prices are also climbing, adding another layer of cost pressure for Apple’s premium devices.
This matters because memory and storage are becoming a much larger share of Apple’s bill of materials. For the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro, memory and flash storage reportedly accounted for about 9 percent of total component costs. For the upcoming 256GB iPhone 18 Pro, that figure is expected to rise dramatically, potentially reaching around 27 percent.
That kind of jump could seriously affect Apple’s pricing strategy. The company can either absorb part of the cost, reduce margins, or pass the increase to customers through higher retail prices. None of those choices are ideal, especially in a smartphone market where consumers are already holding onto devices longer.
This is where CXMT could become important. The Chinese memory manufacturer is aggressively expanding production capacity and is expected to reach around 300,000 wafers per month by the end of the year, up from roughly 200,000 wafers per month today. Even if CXMT cannot supply all of Apple’s DRAM needs, it could still give Apple a valuable bargaining tool.
By bringing CXMT into its supply chain, Apple could gain leverage in negotiations with the major memory suppliers. A new supplier with growing capacity could help Apple push for better pricing, more favorable contracts, or improved supply guarantees at a time when demand for high-performance memory is rising across smartphones, PCs, servers, and AI hardware.
The situation also highlights a broader shift in the technology supply chain. Apple has spent years diversifying manufacturing and supplier relationships to reduce risk. However, memory chips remain a difficult area because only a small number of companies can produce advanced DRAM at the scale Apple requires.
If U.S. officials approve Apple’s request, it could mark a major opening for Chinese memory suppliers in Apple’s hardware ecosystem. It may also encourage other Chinese chipmakers, especially those focused on flash storage, to seek a larger role in Apple’s supply chain.
Still, approval is far from guaranteed. The Trump administration would have to weigh Apple’s commercial needs against national security concerns and the wider political sensitivity surrounding China’s semiconductor industry. Granting clearance could be seen as a practical step to support a major American company, but it could also face criticism from lawmakers focused on limiting China’s role in advanced technology supply chains.
For Apple, the stakes are high. The company needs reliable access to affordable DRAM and flash storage to protect its margins and keep device prices from climbing too quickly. Without new supply options, future iPhone, Mac, and iPad models could become more expensive, especially as Apple continues adding more memory to support advanced software, on-device AI features, and higher-performance workloads.
Apple’s reported push to work with CXMT shows just how serious the memory shortage and pricing problem has become. What was once a behind-the-scenes component issue is now shaping product pricing, supplier strategy, and international technology policy.
If the request is approved, Apple could gain a powerful new tool to manage costs and strengthen its supply chain. If it is denied, the company may remain heavily dependent on the same major memory suppliers at a time when prices continue to rise. Either way, DRAM and flash storage are quickly becoming some of the most important components in Apple’s next generation of devices.
