Artificial Intelligence5impact 4
Apple tests CXMT Chinese memory chips for iPhones and MacBooks
Apple is evaluating memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT for use in iPhones and MacBooks, with early talks focused on devices sold in China. The company is also seeking White House approval to use the chips in China-market products, according to Semafor, as a global memory shortage driven by AI infrastructure demand squeezes component supply. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators urged Apple in July not to pursue Chinese chips, while an analyst cited by CNBC said CXMT's technology lags industry leaders SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron by two to three generations. HP and Acer are already sourcing CXMT chips for products sold outside the United States to offset tightening supply, Reuters reported. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced price increases roughly two months ago, calling surging memory costs a "hundred-year flood" and saying the company was willing to use its balance sheet to help bring additional memory capacity to market.