Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been testing memory chips from Chinese manufacturer CXMT across multiple product lines, including iPhones and MacBooks, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
The testing effort is aimed at mitigating a component shortage driven by surging global demand for artificial intelligence hardware and infrastructure.
Apple held early-stage talks with CXMT about securing a supply of memory components, with the goal of incorporating them into devices sold specifically within China.
CXMT is China’s largest chipmaker by market value, making it a significant potential partner for any company seeking to diversify its memory supply chain in the region.
The Wall Street Journal cited people familiar with the matter in its reporting, and Reuters was unable to immediately verify the claims independently.
Apple and CXMT did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters, leaving the scope and timeline of any potential supply agreement unclear.
The development signals that Apple is actively exploring domestic Chinese suppliers to reduce its exposure to global chip shortages, which have intensified alongside AI-related demand.
Apple is not alone in turning to CXMT for relief, as laptop manufacturers HP and Acer have already begun using CXMT memory chips in devices sold outside the United States.
Reuters had previously reported exclusively that CXMT was considering building a second memory chip plant in Beijing as part of a broader effort to scale up production capacity.
The expansion plans suggest CXMT is positioning itself to meet growing interest from major global technology brands seeking alternatives to existing memory suppliers.
Any formal agreement between Apple and CXMT could carry geopolitical weight, given ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing over semiconductor supply chains and export controls.
The Wall Street Journal report underscores how the AI boom is reshaping procurement strategies across the consumer electronics industry, forcing companies to look beyond traditional chip supply networks.
