Update - Samsung reached out to us to inform us that The Bell has taken down the article due to misinformation, as they have realized their error. For the time being, we will assume that Apple has placed no LPDDR5X DRAM chip orders with Samsung.
The iPhone 18 family is scheduled to arrive in Q4 2026, but Apple is already racing to secure the components that will be found in its next flagship series, starting with the DRAM. According to the latest report, the California-based giant has requested Samsung in advance to supply it with a whopping 13 million 10nm LPDDR5X 1b DRAM chips for the second quarter of next year. In short, the company wishes to have a head start against the competition, and this is the only way to obtain an edge.
The new report also states that the entire iPhone 18 will arrive with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM as standard
As memory requirements increase thanks to the adoption of AAA games and generative AI features in smartphones, Apple will slowly but surely introduce RAM upgrades to its iPhone lineup. This year was the first time the Cupertino firm incorporated 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM into its iPhone Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, with next year witnessing a small change in the specifications. Where the base iPhone 17 was treated to 8GB RAM, The Bell reports that the base iPhone 18 could see a bump to 12GB.
Additionally, a previous report stated that Apple will use six-channel DRAM in its iPhone 18 lineup, resulting in upgraded bandwidth necessary for AI-related workloads. However, even at that time, there was no mention of the company moving to LPDDR6 technology, which has been clarified by the Korean outlet. The report adds that Apple requested mobile DRAM supply from Micron and SK hynix, but the industry believes that Samsung is the only manufacturer that can adequately cater to the customer’s increased supply requirements.
Samsung’s 1b DRAM was said to have been experiencing yield issues, but the company has successfully stabilized it and has reached a threshold that its clients are satisfied with. The iPhone 18 launch next year will not be the usual approach Apple has taken for several years. In 2026, we are expected to be greeted by the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone, with the first half of 2027 materializing the base iPhone 18.
During this period, Samsung’s DRAM market share as Apple’s supplier will likely increase, becoming a reliable manufacturer for the trillion-dollar titan, just like it has when it comes to providing millions of OLEDs. In related news, Samsung is also in the middle of purchasing and setting up the necessary equipment that will allow it to become the sole supplier of Apple’s M6 MacBook Pro OLED panels, which is scheduled to launch in late 2026.
News Source: The Bell
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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