Apple testing Chinese memory chips from CXMT amid AI-driven supply crunch

Apple is testing memory chips from China's ChangXin Memory Technologies, the Wall Street Journal reported, as demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure squeezes global DRAM availability. Memory prices have risen sharply as data centre operators absorb supply from the three dominant producers — Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron — leaving less capacity for consumer electronics manufacturers. Qualifying an additional supplier would give Apple more sourcing flexibility. CXMT is China's leading DRAM maker and has been expanding output as Beijing pushes domestic semiconductor self-sufficiency. Any qualification of its parts for Apple products would also carry political sensitivity given U.S. export controls on Chinese chipmaking.