Apple Scrambling to Secure Memory Ahead of iPhone 18 Pro Launch
Apple and its assemblers are rushing DRAM shipments as about $1 billion in processors sit idle and launch schedules tighten, analyst Tim Culpan said.
- Apple and its manufacturing partners are racing to secure enough mobile DRAM for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra launch, with around $1 billion worth of unpackaged processors sitting idle as they await memory chips, according to semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan.
- This supply crunch reflects a broader global memory shortage driven by AI infrastructure spending consuming available DRAM. Apple relies on Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung for memory components, yet packaging cannot proceed without the necessary chips.
- Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the pressure during the company's July 30 earnings call, saying Apple was "seeing some very significant constraints currently, with limited flexibility in the supply chain." Completed wafers are piling up at TSMC awaiting DRAM.
- Main logic board assembly, handled primarily by Foxconn and BYD in China, faces potential schedule compression if processor delays persist. Consumers should prepare for higher iPhone 18 Pro pricing as a result.
- Assemblers plan to build around 200 million units combined across the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone Ultra over their lifetimes, with the Ultra accounting for less than 10% of that total. The Ultra will likely cost more than $2,000.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Data centers consume so much DRAM that Apple now competes for the same component with AI giants.
A20 Pro chips await DRAM chips. The new iPhone 18 Pro could increase in price even before the official release. The reason is a global RAM shortage, which threatens the supply of future Apple flagships. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing technology analyst Tim Culpan. As Culpan notes, Apple's main chip maker, TSMC, currently has over $1 billion worth of A20 Pro processors in stock. The problem is that there simply aren't enough DRAM chips f…
Will Apple Increase iPhone 18 Pro Price in India? Check Expected Launch Date and Features | 📲 LatestLY
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are rumoured for a September 9, 2026, launch, featuring Apple's new A20 chip and an advanced camera system with a variable-aperture main sensor. Indian consumers may face a substantial starting price of ₹1,39,900 due to these upgrades. Leaks also suggest a 35% smaller Dynamic Island, 12GB RAM, and iOS 27. 📲 Will Apple Increase iPhone 18 Pro Price in India? Check Expected Launch Date and Features.
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