Apple sought cheaper DRAM from China's CXMT for upcoming iPhone 18 models. CXMT declined the discount request, offering similar prices to existing suppliers. This limits Apple's options amid a global memory chip shortage. Samsung and SK Hynix are prioritizing AI chips, impacting consumer device supply. Apple may absorb costs or increase product prices again.

CXMT rejected Apple's bid for cheaper LPDDR5X memory, demanding Samsung-level pricing as AI demand drives DRAM costs higher across the market.

Apple is reportedly considering China’s ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), a memory-chip maker, as a supplier of mobile DRAM including LPDDR5X, which is