- 0-20%: Unlikely - Lacks credible sources
- 21-40%: Questionable - Some concerns remain
- 41-60%: Plausible - Reasonable evidence
- 61-80%: Probable - Strong evidence
- 81-100%: Highly Likely - Multiple reliable sources
60%
Plausible
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max already received a price hike this year, but the DRAM shortage is really going to test Apple’s mettle because it now needs to think of various strategies that will enable it to maintain its margins while also paying a hefty premium for 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chips. In fact, according to the latest rumor, the Cupertino firm is being forced to cough up a 230 percent increase in price for this particular component, and as its long-term contracts with Samsung and SK hynix are rumored to expire in January 2026, the company would be wise to have a solid plan in place.
If the DRAM shortage doesn’t improve, Apple will continue to pay $70 per 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chip for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 lineups
At the start of the year, the price of every 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chip was between $25 and $29, but according to yeux1122’s blog, that figure has climbed to $70, marking a 230 percent premium. While Apple is immune to particular global landscape changes thanks to its stupendous supply chain, rising DRAM costs do not appear to be one of them. The latest rumor suggests that the firm is preparing countermeasures to address this issue, but it remains in a stronger position because it had already secured a large shipment prior to the surge in DRAM costs.
Assuming the company is unable to circumvent past this obstacle, it may be forced to increase the price of the iPhone 18 series, which is said to ship with six-channel LPDDR5X memory for increased bandwidth and AI performance. From the looks of it, Apple hasn’t been able to secure a suitable supplier other than Samsung, with the latter now reportedly accounting for 60-70 percent of shipments. Given that the iPhone 18 lineup is said to enter mass production in February next year, it is imperative that Apple has a strategy prepared.
Fortunately, the California-based giant can avoid specific cost increases to customers because it has been able to substantially lower its chipset expenditure by utilizing its own technology instead of purchasing parts from companies like Qualcomm. In 2026, the company is not just utilizing the A20 and A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 and iPhone Fold, but its C2 5G modem is also said to be found in next year’s flagships. For those wondering, the DRAM shortage is expected to persist until Q4 2027, meaning that Apple’s competitors will likely have to make some compromises in the specifications aspect of their new devices.
News Source: yeux1122’s blog
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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