Apple chief says all memory-supply options open amid reports of Chinese chip tests
In short
Apple chief executive John Ternus described memory supply constraints as a crisis and said all options should remain open, Korean outlets reported, citing a TIME interview published on October 15. The outlets interpreted his remarks as leaving room for Chinese memory suppliers, while reports of CXMT chip testing remain unconfirmed by the companies.
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Apple chief executive John Ternus said memory supply constraints were a crisis and that the company should keep all options open, according to Korean reports citing a TIME interview published on October 15 local time. Korea Economic Daily and Chosun Ilbo said he did not directly name Chinese suppliers in the quoted remarks. The outlets interpreted his response as leaving open the possibility of Chinese memory products as an alternative source. [ 1 , 3 , 6 , 8 ]
Reports of testing focus on Chinese memory manufacturer CXMT. Chosun Ilbo cited Financial Times and Wall Street Journal accounts of tests involving memory for devices including iPhones and MacBooks, with initial use in products sold in China under consideration. Korea Economic Daily said Apple and CXMT had not responded to requests for comment on the reported tests, and Reuters had not independently confirmed them. Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo said neither commercial adoption nor a supply contract had been confirmed. [ 4 , 6 , 8 ]
The potential sourcing change faces political opposition in the United States. Yonhap reported that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in August that it was undesirable for major American companies to use Chinese memory. Outlets also reported that lawmakers from both parties had called on Apple to pledge not to use memory from Chinese companies. Ternus said he had met Trump administration officials to ensure they were working together on resolving the issue. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
Korean outlets linked the shortage to rising AI infrastructure investment and manufacturers' concentration on higher-value memory for AI servers, which they said was constraining supplies for smartphones and personal computers. They also reported that Apple executive chairman Tim Cook had discussed limiting Chinese memory to devices sold in China. Yonhap quoted Ternus as praising Cook's contacts and saying he was helping wherever he could. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The reports describe tension between Apple's search for memory supplies and US political opposition to Chinese chips. They also link constrained conventional memory supplies to manufacturers' focus on products for AI infrastructure.
Key facts
- Ternus said Apple needed to consider all options for addressing memory supply constraints. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 8 ]
- He said he had met Trump administration officials to discuss resolving the issue. [ 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Korea Economic Daily said Apple and CXMT had not commented on reported testing and Reuters had not independently verified it. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Apple will buy or commercially use CXMT memory. The documents describe reported tests and discussions; Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo say commercial adoption or supply contracts have not been confirmed.