Apple is actively testing memory chips from Chinese supplier CXMT for use in iPhones and MacBooks, according to the Wall Street Journal. The testing marks the first time Apple’s evaluation of Chinese memory has been linked directly to specific hardware lines.
Apple held preliminary talks with CXMT last month about supplying components for devices sold in China, and the Financial Times reported that Apple had begun qualifying CXMT’s DRAM.
Monday’s report goes further, confirming that testing is underway across both iPhone and Mac product categories. Apple is also seeking White House approval before committing to any deal.
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What U.S. Export Rules Allow
American export law creates a meaningful constraint on how far any relationship with CXMT could go.
Export attorney Kevin Wolf of Akin Gump told the Journal that Apple can purchase off-the-shelf CXMT components and negotiate on price, but cannot commission chips built to Apple’s own specifications.
That distinction matters because Apple typically works with memory suppliers to configure chips that are optimized for its custom silicon.
Using generic parts could require hardware redesigns or result in performance trade-offs compared to what Apple currently ships.
The political environment adds further pressure. A bipartisan group of senators led by Chuck Schumer has asked Apple to rule out sourcing Chinese memory altogether. Apple’s response to that request is due August 21.
Supply Constraints Undercut the Case for CXMT
Even if Apple clears the legal and political hurdles, CXMT’s current situation offers limited relief.
The company has reportedly filled its production capacity for the year and has little room for new international customers, having prioritized domestic buyers including ByteDance, Tencent, and Xiaomi.
Its prices are reportedly on par with, and sometimes above, those charged by Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung, the three established suppliers Apple already works with.
Adding a fourth memory supplier only helps Apple if that supplier can actually deliver chips at a lower cost. Right now, CXMT satisfies neither condition.
Memory costs are already affecting Apple’s pricing. The company raised prices across its Mac and iPad lineup in June, citing elevated memory costs driven by surging AI infrastructure demand.
iPhone prices were left unchanged at that time, though a separate report published Monday suggests Apple may revisit older iPhone pricing when the iPhone 18 Pro launches next month.
HP and Acer are already using CXMT memory chips in laptops sold outside the U.S., offering real-world performance data on the components. However, Apple faces a far tougher path to adoption.
Between export restrictions, political pushback, and CXMT’s limited factory capacity, Apple remains unable to integrate the Chinese chips into its devices.
