Unternehmen: Apple prüft offenbar Einsatz chinesischer Chips – auch für iPhones

Apple is reportedly considering the use of memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT, including for iPhones and MacBooks, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The tech giant is testing the chips across various product lines due to rising costs for memory chips, which have become scarce and expensive due to high demand from AI companies.

Initial comments from Apple and CXMT could not be obtained from Reuters. According to the report, Apple has initiated discussions with CXMT about supplying components for devices intended for sale in China, hoping to obtain approval from the US government to address political concerns. However, several obstacles stand in the way of such a business arrangement.

US regulations prohibit the transfer of technology to CXMT, preventing Apple from ordering custom chips as usual. The company may have to rely on standard components, which could necessitate redesigning parts of its products. Washington also faces political resistance, with some US politicians fearing that Apple's orders could grant China access to American know-how, potentially strengthening Beijing's military.

The US Defense Department lists CXMT among companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military. A possible Apple contract would be a significant success for CXMT and a crucial step in China's efforts to achieve technological independence. CXMT is currently the world's fourth-largest manufacturer of DRAM memory chips, which are used in devices ranging from smartphones to data centers.

However, the market is dominated by South Korean companies Samsung and SK Hynix, as well as Micron from the US, which together account for about 90 percent of the market. CXMT is aggressively expanding, planning new factories to double its production capacity. After a stellar IPO at the beginning of August, the Chinese company rose to become the most valuable listed company in China.