Apple iPhone 14 could pack memory from a Chinese company you’ve never heard of
Apple has kicked off a relationship with a new 3D NAND flash supplier, reports suggest
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Applehas reportedly penned a deal with Chinese memory manufacturer Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp. (YMTC), with a view to deploying the firm’s 3D NAND flash inside theiPhone 14.
Historically, Apple has leant on flash memory from the likes ofSamsung, Kioxia and sk Hynix, but a report fromBusiness Koreasuggests YMTC is set to be added to the list.
The deal with Apple, one of the world’s largest consumers of 3D NAND flash, could be considered something of a coup for YMTC, which has typically serviced fellow Chinese companies.
Apple iPhone 14 memory
According to reports, the driving ambition behind Apple’s deal with YMTC is to reduce the cost of flash memory, by diversifying the pool of suppliers. But presumably, the arrangement will mean Apple can be assured of access to 3D NAND in sufficient volumes too, amid ongoing supply chain disruption.
Separately, there is speculation the deal may have something to do with Apple’s desire to penetrate further into the Chinese market. Currently, Apple holdsroughly a 13% share in China, but by cosying up to a state-run supplier like YMTC, perhaps the Cupertino firm can ingratiate itself.
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Although it would appear the plan is initially to use YMTC products exclusively for the iPhone 14, it’s possible the company’s chips could be integrated intoSSDsinside Apple’s Mac devices at a later date.
As noted by our sister siteTom’s Hardware, YMTC is in the process of developing a number of promising products, including a family of six-plane 3D NAND chips that feature third-gen Xtracking technology, which is expected to offer improvements at a speed, storage density and power efficiency level.
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TechRadar Prohas asked both Apple and YMTC for confirmation of the deal and further details about its nature.
Joel Khalili is the News and Features Editor at TechRadar Pro, covering cybersecurity, data privacy, cloud, AI, blockchain, internet infrastructure, 5G, data storage and computing. He’s responsible for curating our news content, as well as commissioning and producing features on the technologies that are transforming the way the world does business.
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