Apple is reportedly seeking U.S. approval to buy DRAM memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), according to multiple reports citing the Financial Times. The request involves U.S. government clearance because CXMT is listed on the Pentagon’s 1260H list of companies with alleged connections to the Chinese military. Sources cited by the outlets say Apple has been engaging U.S. officials, including discussions with the White House and lobbying Commerce Department officials, as it tries to obtain permission to source the chips from CXMT.
The reports also link Apple’s efforts to broader supply and pricing pressures in the memory market. TechNode and The Next Web say Apple is under financial pressure from rising memory procurement costs, with DRAM price increases described as significant. Tech in Asia adds that CXMT accounts for about 6% of global DRAM output as of Q1 2025 and produces DDR5 memory.
Across the coverage, Apple’s goal is to secure authorization to continue or expand memory purchases from CXMT despite the U.S. restrictions tied to national security screening.
