(Image credit: Tom's Guide)
RAMageddon is not going to end anytime soon, and the increasing cost of memory is causing the price of all our gadgets to start climbing. In fact, the situation is so bad that analysts predict the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max's price could rise by as much as $200 when it arrives later this year. But Apple may have a plan.Reports first appeared a few days ago, claiming that Apple was considering sourcing DRAM chips from Chinese companies ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC). Now, though, a new report suggests Apple is already actively testing DRAM from CXMT. Currently around 90% of the global DRAM market is controlled by the big three memory makers: Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. But if Apple is happy with the results from these Chinese makers, it could help ease the burden overpriced RAM is putting on the company right now.There's one big issue, though. CXMT and YMTC are both listed on the Department of Defence's 1260H list — characterized as "entities identified as Chinese military companies." Doing business with such companies is not a crime in the U.S., but it does run the risk of major political and regulatory backlash.Bloomberg reports that Apple is in the process of lobbying the Trump administration in a bid to soften the potential political fallout from making a deal with CXMT and YMTC. Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook has also said that all avenues to solve the memory crisis should be explored when asked about the possibility of utilizing Chinese-made DRAM by the Wall Street Journal.Politics means this may not impact you at all
