Apple has reportedly agreed to a 100% price increase for the LPDDR5X memory chips supplied by Samsung, which are critical for the production of the iPhone 17. This information comes from a report by the Korean outlet Dealsite, citing sources familiar with the situation.
Recent negotiations between Apple and Samsung’s semiconductor division focused on securing delivery volumes of RAM for the first half of 2026. The price for the 12GB LPDDR5X modules, used in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, has surged from approximately $30 to around $70 since early 2025.
Negotiation Dynamics
Initially, Samsung intended to propose a 60% price increase for the LPDDR5X modules. However, they opted for a more aggressive opening bid of a 100% markup, which Apple accepted immediately. This swift agreement highlights the intense competition among smartphone manufacturers to secure memory supplies amid a tightening market.
Market Conditions Affecting Supply
The current landscape for mobile DRAM is constrained, as major chip manufacturers like SK Hynix and Micron have shifted their production capabilities toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI applications. This redirection has resulted in a significant shortage of mobile DRAM, impacting availability and pricing.
Samsung’s own mobile division is also facing challenges. For the upcoming Galaxy S26, production is reportedly utilizing a mix of LPDDR5X from both Samsung and Micron, with both suppliers expected to implement substantial price increases after the initial production batch.
Implications for Apple
Despite the rising costs of memory chips, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that the company plans to maintain flat starting prices for the iPhone 18 Pro. During a recent earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that the increasing chip prices would have “a bit more of an impact” on the company’s gross margins. Nevertheless, Apple anticipates a year-on-year revenue growth of 13% to 16% for the current quarter.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
