A very different news is coming from Apple, which will have an earthquake effect on the technology world and the supply chain. The memory (RAM) supply woes in the global market and skyrocketing hardware costs are pushing the technology giant to look for alternative and controversial ways.

According to the latest leaks, Apple is actively testing the DRAM chips of the Chinese memory manufacturer CXMT (ChangXin Memory Technologies), which is on the military blacklist of the United States government.

This information from The Financial Times reveals that Apple has started the qualification process of these chips, especially for its devices to be sold in the Chinese market.

On the other hand, the company is carrying out intense lobbying activities against the US government to ensure that this trade can be carried out without any problems and that it is not subject to embargoes.

Artificial Intelligence Craze Drives RAM Prices Soar

The main reason behind this unexpected breakthrough is entirely based on market dynamics and financial difficulties. The huge demand for artificial intelligence servers starting from the first half of 2026 is literally exploiting the entire memory production capacity of giants such as Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron.

Focusing on high-performance data center chips, these manufacturers are limiting the supply of standard DRAMs they produce for smartphones and computers. As a result, there is an incredible increase of up to 60 percent in the prices of contract memory used in devices.

Apple is passing the blame for this price fluctuation on to consumers by increasing the prices of the new Mac and iPad models it introduced in recent months.

However, this does not seem to be a sustainable way to remain competitive. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, company CEO Tim Cook stated that the market-wide chip crisis makes price increases inevitable.

Cook emphasizes that American companies need a license to work with Chinese companies due to national security rules, but due to current supply issues, restrictions should be loosened and all supply options should be looked at.

Why Is CXMT Blacklisted and Why Does Apple Want It?

ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) stands out as a giant manufacturer that many technology followers have heard of for the first time, but has been growing quietly in the background. Supported by significant government incentives, the company is now the fourth largest DRAM manufacturer in the world, after giants Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron.

However, the company’s biggest handicap is that it was blacklisted by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) under number 1260H due to its alleged ties to the Chinese army.

This list, in theory, does not directly prohibit civilian American companies from doing business with them. In other words, it is not considered illegal for Apple to buy chips from CXMT and test them. But when it comes to mass production and purchasing, there is a risk that the US government will add this company to the Entity List, which is a stricter embargo.

This is exactly why Apple is engaged in unknown negotiations with the current administration and members of Congress. Adding a fourth giant player to the supply chain is considered a move that will incredibly strengthen Apple’s hand against the other three major suppliers.

Special Production Plan Only for the Chinese Market

Compared to leaks, Apple’s plan in these dangerous waters is actually quite strategic. The company does not plan to put the embargoed memory chips it will purchase from CXMT in iPhone models sold in the American, Turkish or European markets. These chips are expected to be included in Apple devices that will be sold only in China’s domestic market.

Thus, Apple aims to significantly reduce the costs of the huge production volume in that region and to reserve the limited number of Samsung and Micron chips in the world for its devices in other regions.

However, this situation does not sit well with US representatives. It is feared that China’s state-backed companies will crush their Western rivals by driving down prices in the memory market, just like in solar panels and electric cars.

Even if Apple’s hardware testing process is completed successfully, it is a matter of great curiosity how the US government will approve or impose sanctions on this massive technology collaboration.