American corporation Apple is testing memory chips produced by Chinese company CXMT for use in several product lines, including iPhone and MacBook.
The company is seeking ways to cope with the global shortage caused by the artificial intelligence boom.
According to the publication, Apple has held preliminary talks with CXMT about the possibility of supplying chips for devices sold on the Chinese market, and intends to obtain White House approval before concluding any deal with the Chinese company.
The step is being taken amid Apple's price increases on products worldwide - the company explains this by the sharp rise in memory chip costs due to high demand from AI companies. Having supplies from a Chinese manufacturer could give Apple additional leverage to offset these costs.
U.S. federal regulations prohibit American companies from sharing technologies with CXMT, including technical specifications necessary for producing specialized chips that Apple uses. However, the rules allow the purchase of finished CXMT components and price negotiations.
At the same time, CXMT has already fully loaded its production capacity for 2026, so opportunities for new customers are limited.