Apple tests CXMT DRAM for China-sold devices, report says

Apple is testing DRAM chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for devices it would sell in China, according to a new report cited by GSMArena.

TL;DR

• GSMArena reported that Apple is already testing DRAM from Chinese memory maker CXMT.
• The report said Apple would use the Chinese-made RAM only in devices sold in China.
• GSMArena said earlier reports also named Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) as a possible supplier.
• The report linked the China-only approach to US scrutiny because CXMT and YMTC are on the US Entity List.

GSMArena said earlier reports had claimed Apple was considering Chinese memory from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) and Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC). The newer report goes further and says Apple is already testing DRAM from CXMT.

The report said Apple would limit any use of CXMT memory to devices sold in China. GSMArena said this would apply to China-market devices rather than Apple products sold globally.

GSMArena said the reported China-only sourcing could reduce political backlash in the United States. The article noted that the US government has placed both CXMT and YMTC on its Entity List, which identifies companies with alleged ties to the Chinese military.

Related questions

• Which Chinese memory supplier is Apple reportedly testing? ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT).
• Where would Apple reportedly use the Chinese-made RAM? In devices sold in China.
• Which other company was named in earlier reports? Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC).
• Why did the report mention the US Entity List? Because both CXMT and YMTC are listed by the US government.