Apple is evaluating DRAM from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for potential future iPhones and MacBooks amid a global memory shortage and increasing political pressure in the United States to prevent the company from sourcing components from Chinese manufacturers considered sensitive by Washington. What has not yet been confirmed is whether Donald Trump will authorize an agreement with CXMT or with Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC): this possibility currently stems from unofficial reports and should be treated as such.
The key points about Apple, CXMT, and YMTC in 20 seconds
- Apple is testing DRAM from CXMT for iPhone and MacBook, according to consistent reports from the tech industry.
- The initial discussions reportedly focused on devices intended for the Chinese market.
- A bipartisan group of senators has asked Tim Cook to rule out both CXMT and YMTC.
- Washington considers both companies sensitive due to national security concerns.
- The alleged green light from Trump following a meeting with Xi Jinping has not been officially confirmed.
Apple’s interest has a clear industrial explanation. Artificial intelligence is consuming vast amounts of memory for servers and accelerators, while manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are dedicating more capacity to higher-margin products linked to data centers. This is driving up costs and creating tensions for both DRAM and NAND memory.
Adding another supplier would give Apple more flexibility in a supply chain where it has traditionally sought to avoid dependence on a single company.
Apple is already testing CXMT DRAM for iPhone and MacBook
The most solid information is that Apple has been testing DRAM memory manufactured by CXMT.
Specialized tech media indicate that the tests involve products like iPhone and MacBook, and preliminary discussions have taken place to explore their use in devices mainly marketed within China.
This does not mean that CXMT has become a supplier for Apple already.
Before integrating a new manufacturer, Apple undertakes qualification processes to evaluate performance, power consumption, stability, compatibility, and industrial capacity. A memory chip can pass certain tests but not necessarily be used commercially.
There is also an important specific issue related to U.S. restrictions.
Apple can purchase certain commercially available components, but sharing advanced specifications or requesting custom designs from a company subject to U.S. controls could pose regulatory challenges. This is especially relevant because Apple typically works closely with its suppliers to tailor components to its product needs.
Meanwhile, CXMT has become an increasingly significant player. The Chinese company is now one of the world’s leading DRAM producers and has made rapid progress in recent years, narrowing the technological gap with Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.
YMTC is an even more complex case
The situation of YMTC, which specializes in NAND Flash memory, faces greater difficulties from the U.S. perspective.
Washington added the company to the Entity List of the Department of Commerce in 2022. This imposes restrictions on the transfer of certain U.S. products, technologies, and know-how.
Additionally, both CXMT and YMTC are among the companies the U.S. government links to the Chinese military-industrial complex. A bipartisan group of senators cited this fact as a reason to demand that Apple commit not to source memory from either company.
The letter, addressed to Tim Cook in late July, was signed by both Democratic and Republican senators.
The legislators did not limit themselves to a political statement. They also requested information on which memories Apple is evaluating, for which products, what technical data has been shared during the qualification process, and what supply chain risks have been assessed.
The document also points out an important distinction between manufacturing devices for China and creating technological dependency.
Initially, Apple planned to use Chinese memory mainly in products sold within that country. This would free up components from Samsung, SK Hynix, or Micron for other markets.
However, the senators reject the notion that this separation is sufficient. They argue that approving CXMT or YMTC as suppliers for Apple would increase their international legitimacy and facilitate potential future expansion into other markets.
The alleged intervention by Trump remains just a rumor
The new development circulating now is that the Trump administration might eventually authorize Apple to proceed with these suppliers after a forthcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
According to leaks from the Chinese source Mobile Chip Expert, Washington would be preparing some form of approval or agreement that would allow Apple to use DRAM from CXMT and NAND from YMTC.
For now, there is no official confirmation from the White House, the Department of Commerce, or Apple supporting this claim.
The White House has confirmed that Trump and Xi agreed to hold additional meetings after the U.S. president’s visit to China in May, and that Xi Jinping would be received in Washington during the fall.
However, linking that future meeting to an explicit authorization for Apple takes the discussion beyond confirmed facts.
It would also conflict with the current political pressures in Washington.
Opposition to Apple sourcing Chinese memory does not come solely from a part of Congress. The broader U.S. policy aims to reduce dependencies on China in strategic semiconductors and promote domestic manufacturing.
Therefore, if any policy change occurs, it would carry much more significance than a mere commercial negotiation with a supplier.
Memory shortages are shifting the power dynamics among manufacturers
Apple’s interest does not necessarily mean that CXMT will offer cheaper memory.
This highlights one of the paradoxes of the current situation.
For years, a new Chinese manufacturer was primarily attractive for its price. By 2026, the situation is different: memory is scarce, and manufacturers have much more bargaining power.
CXMT is rapidly expanding its presence and already supplies strong domestic demand from Chinese tech firms. Some specialized sources indicate that its production capacity for this year is heavily strained, and its prices may be at or even above those of its international competitors in certain cases.
U.S. senators acknowledge in their letter that CXMT has increased prices and that its products are not necessarily a cheaper alternative.
This alters the logic for Apple.
The main potential benefit is no longer solely to acquire low-cost DRAM, but to expand the number of available suppliers.
Apple purchases enormous quantities of memory. Including a fourth major source of DRAM would enable it to distribute orders, reduce risk of supply disruptions, and gain flexibility when Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron prioritize other products.
For a manufacturer selling hundreds of millions of devices, securing supply may be more important than saving a few dollars per component.
AI is part of the problem
Artificial intelligence is again at the heart of this story.
Large data centers demand increasing amounts of DRAM, HBM, and NAND storage. Specifically, high-bandwidth memory or HBM has become one of the most sought-after components for AI accelerators.
Major manufacturers are investing in and expanding production capacity for these high-margin memories.
This has indirect repercussions on the rest of the memory market.
Memory production cannot be ramped up immediately. Building new factories requires billions of dollars and years, meaning that the explosive growth of one category can reduce agility for computers, smartphones, and other devices.
Even YMTC is benefiting from this situation. The Chinese company has experienced rapid growth and is now among the biggest NAND manufacturers worldwide, boosted by high demand and elevated prices for storage.
As a result, Chinese manufacturers that had limited international presence a few years ago are becoming significant industrial alternatives.
This places Apple between two opposing forces.
On one side, it needs more supply capacity.
On the other, Washington is trying to prevent U.S. companies from helping to bolster Chinese manufacturers deemed strategic.
Apple may need CXMT more than CXMT needs Apple
This situation also changes an historic relationship between Apple and its suppliers.
Thanks to the large volume of orders it manages, Apple usually has significant bargaining power. Becoming an iPhone supplier can justify substantial discounts in exchange for volume and prestige.
Memory scarcity diminishes this advantage.
CXMT currently has large Chinese customers, and its capacity is not limitless. If it can sell almost all its production without heavy discounts, it has little incentive to accept the terms typically offered by Apple to other manufacturers.
Therefore, the entry of Chinese memory into the iPhone or MacBook should not automatically be interpreted as a way to lower device costs.
It could simply be a supply security strategy.
The real change would be if the U.S. accepted a stable integration of CXMT or YMTC into its supply chain, involving one of its most important tech companies.
That has not yet occurred.
Apple is testing alternatives. The U.S. Congress is applying pressure in the opposite direction. Washington maintains restrictions on certain Chinese companies, and reports on a possible personal intervention by Trump remain unconfirmed.
The next phase will depend both on global memory availability and on a technological negotiation between the U.S. and China that goes far beyond the next iPhones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple already using CXMT memory in its iPhones?
There is no confirmation of widespread commercial use. Apple is evaluating CXMT DRAM for products like iPhone and MacBook, but qualification tests do not necessarily mean it will be used in production.
What do CXMT and YMTC manufacture?
CXMT primarily specializes in DRAM memory, while YMTC produces NAND Flash memory used for storage.
Has Trump authorized Apple to buy Chinese memory?
There is no official confirmation at this time. The possible authorization following a meeting with Xi Jinping is based on unofficial reports and remains a rumor.
Why is Apple seeking new memory suppliers?
The strong demand driven by data centers and AI is putting pressure on the global memory market. Having more suppliers would help Apple diversify risks and ensure greater supply capacity.
