Apple Tests China's CXMT Memory Chips to Ease AI-Driven Shortage
AAPL sits 36% above its 52-week low of $223.78.
Summary
Apple is testing memory chips from China's CXMT for iPhones and MacBooks, aiming to diversify supply amid AI-driven component shortages. The move follows warnings in the Q3 filing about worsening shortages and a 15-25% price hike on Macs and iPads in June due to rising memory costs. CXMT offers a credible alternative to Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, but any deal faces significant regulatory risk—CXMT is on a Pentagon list for alleged military ties, and US lawmakers have urged Apple to avoid Chinese memory suppliers. If successful, the partnership could lower component costs and stabilize supply for devices sold in China, but political pushback could derail it. The report is unconfirmed by Apple or CXMT.
At the time of this announcement, AAPL was trading at $304.96 on NASDAQ in the Technology sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $4.4T. The 52-week trading range was $223.78 to $344.57. This news item was assessed with neutral market sentiment and an importance score of 8 out of 10. Source: dpa-AFX.