Lutnick Opposes Apple Buying Chinese RAM as Device Prices Rise Up to 25%
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · Aug 17
Lutnick Opposes Apple Buying Chinese RAM as Device Prices Rise Up to 25%
3 articles · Updated · Computerworld · Aug 17
Summary
Howard Lutnick said he is "not in favor" of Apple buying Chinese-made RAM to ease a memory shortage, even for devices sold in China.
Apple may still be able to buy off-the-shelf memory without sharing product details, but licenses are required for dealings involving restricted Chinese suppliers such as CXMT and YMTC.
The shortage has no near-term fix: major approved memory vendors are prioritizing data-center customers, lifting DRAM prices, and new capacity is not expected to reach production until 2029 at the earliest.
Apple has already delayed some device deliveries, paused sales of certain high-memory configurations, and raised some prices by as much as 25%; analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has warned it also cut 2026 hardware shipment plans.
A bipartisan Senate push for tighter curbs on CXMT could block even commodity-memory purchases, deepening supply pressure that is already pushing consumers toward refurbished phones and longer device replacement cycles.