Apple is reportedly evaluating CXMT’s memory chips for iPhones and MacBooks as surging AI demand drives a global memory crunch and pushes device makers to diversify sourcing.
Apple is reportedly testing memory chips from Chinese semiconductor maker CXMT across products including iPhones and MacBooks as the artificial intelligence boom intensifies pressure on global memory supplies.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Apple has held preliminary discussions with CXMT, China’s largest memory chipmaker by market value, about potentially supplying components for some devices sold in China. People familiar with the matter said the company has been evaluating CXMT’s memory products across multiple product lines.
The move could help Apple diversify its component sourcing as demand for memory chips continues to rise sharply, driven largely by AI infrastructure. However, the report has not been independently verified by Reuters. Apple and CXMT have not commented on the development.
CXMT, formally known as ChangXin Memory Technologies, is among China’s key memory semiconductor manufacturers. The company has been expanding its production capabilities as China seeks to strengthen its domestic semiconductor supply chain.
Reuters recently reported that CXMT is considering building a second memory-chip manufacturing facility in Beijing to increase production capacity. The expansion comes as memory demand remains elevated globally.
Apple is not the only device maker turning to CXMT. Laptop manufacturers HP and Acer have reportedly begun using CXMT memory chips in products sold outside the US to manage supply constraints.
For Apple, the potential use of CXMT components could provide another source of memory amid a tightening market. However, sourcing from a Chinese chipmaker could also introduce additional considerations because of ongoing US-China technology restrictions and geopolitical tensions surrounding semiconductor supply chains.
The development underscores how the AI boom is affecting the broader electronics industry. While AI data centres remain major consumers of advanced processors and high-performance memory, rising demand is also putting pressure on supplies available to traditional consumer electronics manufacturers.
If Apple eventually adopts CXMT memory at scale, the move could represent a notable change in its component sourcing strategy while giving the Chinese chipmaker greater exposure to the global consumer electronics market.
