Rumor
Apple reportedly pays 230 percent premium for iPhone 17 LPDDR5X memory
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 08:07 AM
Apple is reportedly facing a 230% price premium for 12GB LPDDR5X RAM components destined for its upcoming high-end iPhone 17 models.
Context
Apple is currently facing a 230% premium for the 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chips utilized in its iPhone 17 Pro and Air models. Individual component prices have reportedly climbed from a baseline of $25–$29 to nearly $70 per chip. This drastic increase stems from a global supply imbalance as memory leaders like SK Hynix and Micron shift production capacity away from mobile DRAM to prioritize lucrative High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI data centers.
The shortage has effectively consolidated the supply chain, leaving Samsung as the primary provider with an estimated 60% to 70% share of orders. While the 12GB upgrade is essential for running on-device Apple Intelligence features, the surge in manufacturing costs is squeezing Apple’s hardware margins. With key supply agreements nearing expiration in January 2026, the sustained high cost of memory may impact future pricing strategies for the iPhone 18 and other flagship devices.
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