In the hardware world, there is a detail rarely seen from outside but that can impact the final price of an iPhone, Mac, or iPad: how and at what price memory is secured. This is where the latest rumor from the supply chain comes into play: Apple’s long-term agreements (LTAs) to purchase DRAM chips may be nearing expiration, which could open the door to price increases from suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix starting in January 2026.
What does it mean for memory agreements to “expire”
LTAs (Long-Term Agreements) are, in practice, contracts that allow a large company to reserve capacity and stabilize prices over a period. When an LTA ends, the buyer has two options:
- Renegotiate (usually with a new price, conditioned by the market).
- Buy more at market price (more exposed to demand spikes and sudden movements).
If the market is “calm,” the impact might be limited. But if the market is under pressure — and it currently is — losing the safety net of a stable agreement can become a real problem for any manufacturer, including Apple.
Why memory is becoming more expensive
Memory has been undergoing a shift in priorities for months, impacting the entire sector:
- AI demand is consuming industrial capacity: servers, accelerators, and training systems use enormous volumes of memory in different forms (DRAM for servers, advanced stacked memories, etc.).
- Manufacturers maximize margins where the highest payments are: when the industry pays more for certain products or ranges, it’s logical for production planning to favor those.
- Investments and capacity expansions are not immediate: building a new factory or transitioning technology isn’t resolved “from one quarter to another.”
In this context, Apple competes for supply with half the planet: mobile manufacturers, PC makers, data centers, and generally anyone in need of memory for new devices.
The geopolitical factor: US restrictions and the Asian landscape
Beyond the purely industrial tug-of-war, there is another layer adding uncertainty: export restrictions and controls and their indirect impact on the ability to operate and expand production in Asia.
Recently, Samsung and SK Hynix have been under scrutiny regarding how US export regulations on technology influence certain operations and supplies tied to China, a critical environment for the semiconductor industry.
Not to alarm unnecessarily: when the market is already adjusted, any additional friction (regulatory, logistical, or planning) tends to be reflected in price or availability.
Can Apple absorb the impact… or will consumers pay the price?
The key issue here isn’t just “if memory prices go up,” but who bears the cost.
Apple has some margin to manage the impact because:
- it operates with massive volumes and bargaining power,
- it can adjust configurations (base capacity, memory tiers, etc.) depending on models and regions,
- and it can manipulate the timeline (early purchases, supplier diversification, renegotiation in advance).
But there’s also a limit: if suppliers raise prices significantly and sustainably, Apple will have to choose between:
- shrinking margins (not usually favored in demanding markets),
- restructuring the supply chain (raising prices on specific ranges, or making memory upgrades more expensive),
- or passing some costs onto the final products, especially in launches planned for 2026.
What’s important is that, for now, there’s no official confirmation of price changes from Apple: what’s circulating is a “risk warning” linked to the supply chain and the memory market dynamics for 2026.
Signals that companies and users might notice
If cost pressures become entrenched, symptoms typically include:
- Rising prices for configurations with more RAM (such as jumps from 8 GB to 16 GB, or 16 GB to 24 GB).
- Less aggressive or less frequent promotions on certain products.
- Strategic shifts: greater focus on models with specific base capacities, or repositioning ranges to justify price hikes.
For users, this translates into a very straightforward feeling: “the same product (or a similar one) costs more than last year”.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an LTA (Long-Term Agreement) and why does it matter for RAM?
It’s a long-term contract to secure supply and stable pricing. If it expires during a tense market, the buyer could pay more for the same memory.
Which Apple products would be most affected by a DRAM price increase?
Those competing on cost with higher memory configurations: laptops (MacBook), base desktops, and mobile ranges where memory is key for on-device AI.
Will the iPhone price increase in 2026 due to memory?
No official confirmation. The risk exists if memory becomes more expensive and Apple chooses not to absorb all of the cost, but it will depend on negotiations, demand, and product strategy.
Does it make sense to buy hardware before 2026 “just in case”?
Only if you were already planning to buy and the current model fits your needs. Buying out of fear often backfires; the best approach is to monitor prices and offers, and prioritize actual needs (RAM/SSD) over extras.