3 weeks ago
Apple tests China's CXMT memory chips for iPhones and MacBooks
Apple makes iPhones and MacBooks.
These devices need special parts called memory chips.
Lately, memory chips have become hard to find and more expensive.
That is because AI companies want a lot of them.
Apple is trying memory chips made by a Chinese company called CXMT.
Apple wants to use them in some devices sold in China.
But first, the White House must say yes.
Some U.S. leaders worry this could help China's military.
CXMT is already very busy, so it may not have many chips left to sell.
Apple is reportedly testing memory chips from China's CXMT across product lines including iPhones and MacBooks, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Apple has held early talks with CXMT about supplying memory components for some devices sold in China.
Apple is waiting for White House approval before moving forward with any deal involving CXMT.
Federal rules bar U.S. companies from sharing technology with CXMT, but off-the-shelf purchases are allowed.
CXMT's production capacity is maxed out for this year, with HP and Acer having secured limited volumes.
- Who
- Apple and China's CXMT, one of China's largest chipmakers by market value.
- What
- Apple is testing CXMT memory chips for iPhones and MacBooks to ease AI-driven component shortages and offset surging memory costs.
- Where
- China, with the goal of using the components in some devices sold there; White House approval required in the United States.
- When
- Reported by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday; no specific date given.
- Why
- To mitigate AI-driven memory chip shortages and high prices while awaiting regulatory approval.
Apple and industry interest
U.S. policymakers
Buying from CXMT
Apple and industry interest
Testing CXMT chips eases AI-driven shortages and gives Apple additional leverage against rising memory chip costs.
U.S. policymakers
U.S. orders could give CXMT expertise and capital to advance its technology, potentially benefiting China's military and weakening Micron Technology.
Regulatory limits
Apple and industry interest
Purchasing off-the-shelf CXMT components is permitted under federal rules and offers a practical supply option.
U.S. policymakers
Federal rules bar U.S. companies from sharing technology with CXMT, reflecting concerns about deeper cooperation with the Chinese firm.
Key facts
- Reported by
- The Wall Street Journal
- Companies involved
- Apple, CXMT
- Products involved
- iPhones, MacBooks
- Reason
- AI-driven memory chip shortage and rising prices that have weighed on PC and smartphone shipments
- Pending approval
- White House
- Regulatory constraint
- U.S. federal rules bar technology sharing with CXMT; off-the-shelf purchases allowed
- Policymaker concern
- Deal could benefit China's military and weaken Micron Technology
- Supply status
- CXMT's capacity maxed out for this year; HP and Acer secured limited volumes
- CXMT performance
- Second-quarter revenue more than eight times higher than earlier levels
Sources
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