Apple May Use CXMT DRAM Talks to Pressure Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron

Apple’s reported interest in buying DRAM from China’s CXMT appears to be less about large-scale adoption and more about pricing pressure. The company has limited room to use CXMT memory in iPhones because the chips still trail the standards Apple usually demands for its main devices.

The Financial Times recently reported that Apple has been seeking clearance from the Trump administration to buy DRAM from CXMT, even though the Chinese memory maker remains under a Pentagon blacklist due to its alleged links with China’s People’s Liberation Army.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reported that Apple has been working with the administration to reduce any political backlash if it sources memory from CXMT and YMTC for products sold in China.

The move raised questions because CXMT’s DRAM does not offer a clear technical or financial advantage for Apple. Its LPDDR5X chips reportedly fall short of Apple’s higher performance targets, while its limited mobile DRAM capacity does not come at a major discount compared with Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.

Bank of America has now offered a more practical explanation. The bank believes Apple cannot use CXMT DRAM in meaningful volumes because of technical limits, possible patent risks, and weak demand for low-end iPhones in China.

However, Apple can still use CXMT as a bargaining tool during upcoming memory price talks. Even a small alternative supplier gives Apple more leverage when it negotiates second-half 2026 or 2027 contracts with the major DRAM makers.

That means CXMT may not become a major Apple supplier soon, but its presence can still help Apple push for better pricing from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron.