A Chinese industry expert believes Apple is highly likely to adopt memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT, according to a report from Yonhap Infomax published Tuesday.
The assessment, reported by the South Korean financial news outlet, suggests Apple could turn to the Chinese chipmaker as part of its broader strategy to diversify its supply chain. Yonhap Infomax did not provide specific details on which products or when such a move might occur.
The report comes amid a wider pattern of Apple deepening ties with Chinese semiconductor firms. Other South Korean media coverage cited in the Yonhap Infomax summary points to Apple cooperating with Chinese partners in areas such as OLED displays and mobile AI chips, which analysts view as a way to apply competitive pressure on South Korean giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
One editorial from v.daum.net argues that South Korea should respond to Apple's collaboration with Chinese chipmakers by strengthening its own technological edge. Another report from Dong-a Ilbo notes that while China is pushing for self-reliance in lithography equipment and the US and Japan are expanding their materials and parts production, South Korea faces tightening access to capital.
The potential Apple-CXMT partnership would mark a significant shift in the global memory chip market, where South Korean firms have long dominated. CXMT, China's leading memory chip producer, has been working to expand its presence in DRAM and other memory products.
Industry watchers will be watching whether Apple actually places orders with CXMT and how South Korean chipmakers respond to what could be a major realignment in their customer base.
