Apple CEO John Ternus Keeps Chinese Memory Chips on the Table Amid Supply Crunch

Apple is considering a wider range of memory-chip suppliers as rising demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure puts increasing pressure on global semiconductor supplies. In an interview with Time magazine published on October 15, 2026, Apple CEO John Ternus described the situation in the memory-chip sector as an “absolute crisis” and indicated that the company would need to consider every available option. His comments suggest that Apple is keeping the possibility of sourcing memory components from Chinese manufacturers open as it seeks to secure enough supplies for its products. Memory chips are essential components in iPhones, iPads, Mac computers and other Apple devices, making reliable access to them critical to the company’s manufacturing operations.

The supply shortage has been intensified by the rapid expansion of AI data centres, which require large quantities of advanced memory to support increasingly powerful computing systems. Technology companies are investing heavily in infrastructure for training and operating AI models, increasing competition for semiconductor products. Apple must compete for these components while maintaining production schedules across its global product range. A shortage could affect manufacturing costs, product availability and the company’s ability to meet consumer demand. Ternus’s remarks indicate that Apple is assessing its options carefully rather than relying exclusively on its established suppliers. However, the company has not announced a final decision to purchase Chinese-made memory chips for its global products.

According to reporting by the Seoul Economic Daily, Apple previously held discussions about purchasing memory chips from two Chinese manufacturers: ChangXin Memory Technologies, known as CXMT, and Yangtze Memory Technologies, or YMTC. Both companies have faced restrictions and scrutiny from US authorities. The report said Apple had been testing CXMT chips as it evaluated alternatives to its existing supply arrangements. Apple has traditionally relied on established manufacturers, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron Technology, for memory components. Expanding its supplier base could give the company greater flexibility during periods of shortages, although any move involving Chinese manufacturers would require careful consideration of technical compatibility, production quality and regulatory requirements.

The potential use of Chinese memory chips also presents political and regulatory challenges. US officials and lawmakers have raised concerns about technology supply chains involving Chinese companies, particularly those subject to government restrictions or national-security scrutiny. The Seoul Economic Daily reported that Micron had lobbied US officials against allowing Chinese memory manufacturers to supply major American technology companies. Senators from both political parties had also urged Apple to avoid products from CXMT and YMTC. These developments illustrate the competing pressures facing Apple: the company needs a dependable supply of components, but its sourcing decisions can also attract political attention because of the strategic importance of semiconductors. Ternus said Apple had met with officials from the Trump administration to discuss the supply situation.

The issue highlights the broader challenge Apple faces in balancing supply-chain resilience with geopolitical risk. Under former CEO Tim Cook, the company expanded manufacturing operations in countries such as India and Vietnam while maintaining extensive relationships with suppliers in China. Diversification has helped reduce some dependence on individual production locations, but many important components and manufacturing processes remain connected to Chinese supply chains. For Ternus, the immediate priority is ensuring that Apple can continue producing its devices despite growing competition for memory chips. Whether the company ultimately purchases Chinese-made components for products sold internationally will depend on supply availability, product testing and regulatory considerations. For now, his comments indicate that Apple is unwilling to rule out potential suppliers while the global memory shortage continues.