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According to Nikkei Asia, Apple has discontinued plans to use memory chips from China’s Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation (YMTC). The move comes amid the latest round of U.S. export controls on China’s tech sector, a sign that Washington’s measures are having an impact on supply chains.
YMTC and Apple have yet to make official comment.
Apple has completed a months-long process to prove that YMTC’s 128-layer 3D NAND flash memory can be used in iPhones, the sources said. However, their plans had to be shelved when the U.S. government announced stricter export restrictions on China earlier this month.
NAND flash memory is a key component of all electronic devices, from smartphones and personal computers to servers. YMTC’s 128-layer chip is by far the most advanced chip from a Chinese manufacturer, although it is still a generation or two behind market leaders such as Samsung Electronics and Micron.
Initially, Apple intended to use YMTC chips because they were at least 20 percent cheaper than rival chips and only available for iPhones sold in the Chinese market. However, sources say Apple is also considering buying 40 percent of the NAND flash memory needed for all iPhones from YMTC.
At present, the Yangtze River memory chips are not used in Apple products.
On October 7, Washington added YMTC to its “unproven list.” A company was added to this list when U.S. officials were unable to verify who the end users of its products were.
The move doesn’t restrict U.S. companies from buying parts or anything else from companies on the list, but it prohibits U.S. companies from sharing any designs, technologies or materials. any. Not at all. It is still the norm for unlicensed listed companies.
In addition, according to a senior Commerce Ministry official, listed companies are “very likely” to be placed on the “Entity List” — the official blacklist for export controls.
YMTC is China’s hope to enter the field of NAND flash memory, which has long been monopolized by a few companies such as South Korea’s Samsung, SK Hynix, Japan’s Kioxia, and the United States’ Micron.
Founded in 2016, YMTC is ramping up production at its second chip factory, which is expected to start mass production this year. The company’s potential deal with Apple is seen as a major win for China’s semiconductor business, as it would demonstrate the ability of Chinese companies to provide quality products to the Chinese market. Chinese market. card. The world’s leading.
