Apple seeks US approval to buy Chinese DRAM chips amid supply crunch

Apple has reportedly lobbied the U.S. government to obtain clearance for purchasing DRAM chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT (長鑫存儲), a company listed on the U.S. Entity List. Analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo said the move is driven by a widening memory supply‑demand gap that is expected to persist through 2027, noting that “the memory supply‑demand gap will keep widening through 2027.”

Kuo added that Apple’s concern has shifted from soaring memory prices—12 GB LPDDR5X modules have risen from about $39 to $145—to securing a stable supply as shortages threaten future products, including the A20 chip slated for late 2026. He suggested the effort be completed before Tim Cook steps down as CEO. A prior request for similar approval under the Biden administration in 2022 was unsuccessful, and analysts doubt the current request will succeed, but Apple hopes the lobbying will demonstrate proactive steps to regulators and mitigate potential restrictions on iPhone use.

The effort reflects Apple’s broader strategy to diversify its memory sources amid global supply constraints and U.S. export controls on Chinese semiconductor firms.