Apple is reportedly working with its suppliers to secure additional DRAM supplies ahead of the expected launch of its next-generation iPhones, with less than six weeks remaining before the company is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro range and its first foldable iPhone.
The report, published by semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan of Culpium on August 5, said Apple and its manufacturing partners are trying to accelerate shipments of mobile DRAM as they prepare for the upcoming devices. Culpan cited sources familiar with the supply chain.
Apple relies primarily on Micron, SK hynix and Samsung for DRAM used across its devices. The companies are also among the world’s largest memory manufacturers and are facing intense demand from the artificial intelligence industry.
The reported squeeze comes as Apple prepares for a more significant iPhone launch than usual. The company is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside a new foldable model this autumn, while other iPhone 18 variants are expected to arrive later.
AI boom leaves consumer electronics competing for memory
The pressure on Apple’s supply chain is part of a broader shift in the memory market. Samsung, SK hynix and Micron have been directing more production capacity towards high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, which is used extensively in AI accelerators and data-centre infrastructure.
That shift has reduced the amount of capacity available for conventional DRAM used in smartphones, PCs and other consumer electronics. IDC expects global DRAM supply growth to remain below historical levels in 2026 as manufacturers prioritise higher-margin memory products for AI systems.
Samsung warned in April that significant shortages across memory products could continue through at least 2027 as customers compete to secure future supply.
Apple is particularly exposed because its upcoming iPhones are expected to require more memory for on-device artificial intelligence features. A report from South Korea’s KB Securities said the standard iPhone 18 could receive 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17, with the additional capacity intended to support more demanding AI functions.
Higher memory requirements add pressure before launch
The situation has already prompted speculation that Apple could face difficult decisions over component configurations and production volumes.
Apple has reportedly asked its memory suppliers to increase deliveries of LPDDR5X, the type of low-power memory used in mobile devices. The company is expected to continue sourcing from Samsung, SK hynix and Micron, potentially paying above-market prices to secure the volumes it needs.
Micron has separately indicated that the industry’s earlier period of weak pricing discouraged investment in additional production capacity. The company has argued that manufacturers reduced capital spending after margins deteriorated, leaving the industry less prepared for the subsequent surge in AI-related demand.
For Apple, the timing is particularly sensitive. The company is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone while also introducing its next Pro models, creating a concentrated demand for components at a time when memory suppliers have less flexibility.
The reported shortage does not necessarily mean consumers will face an immediate delay to the new iPhones. However, tighter availability could increase Apple’s component costs or force the company to make changes to production plans if suppliers cannot deliver enough memory on schedule.
Apple has not publicly confirmed the reported DRAM shortage or its procurement plans. The company has also yet to announce the exact date or final product details for its upcoming iPhone launch.
