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Apple has already begun moving on the next big thing. Less than a month after the iPhone 17 reveal, the company quietly placed a major memory order—reportedly requesting 13 million 10nm LPDDR5X 1b DRAM chips from Samsung for Q2 next year—as it lines up components for the iPhone 18 family.
Why Apple is stockpiling DRAM now
Imagine a smartphone running heavy AAA games, real-time generative AI features, and advanced multitasking all at once. That’s the direction flagship phones are headed, and memory bandwidth is becoming a bottleneck. By securing a huge early shipment of LPDDR5X chips, Apple wants predictable supply, higher bandwidth and a smoother ramp into higher memory configurations across the lineup.
Industry sources say the chips in question are Samsung's 10nm LPDDR5X 1b parts. Samsung had early yield issues with this node, but reports indicate it has stabilized production to meet large-volume customers. Apple also contacted Micron and SK hynix, but market watchers believe Samsung is best positioned to satisfy the volume Apple requires.
How this changes the iPhone 18 specs
The push for more RAM isn’t just incremental. This year Apple introduced 12GB LPDDR5X on some iPhone 17 Pro models and the iPhone Air. Leaks now suggest Apple plans to broaden 12GB as the standard across the iPhone 18 range—meaning the base model could jump from 8GB to 12GB.
Another technical upgrade reportedly in play: six-channel DRAM configurations for the iPhone 18 series. That design boosts memory bandwidth, which is especially useful for AI-driven features and heavy multimedia workloads. Notably, Apple appears to be sticking with LPDDR5X for now rather than moving to LPDDR6.
Release timing and what to expect in 2026–2027
Apple’s rollout next year won't follow its usual single-wave launch. Reports point to an initial Q4 2026 debut featuring the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a foldable iPhone. The regular base iPhone 18 may arrive later, in the first half of 2027. That split schedule could be one reason Apple is front-loading parts procurement now.
Samsung’s growing role and broader industry impact
Securing millions of DRAM chips for Apple would strengthen Samsung’s position as a critical supplier—similar to its dominant role in OLED panels for Apple devices. The company is also reportedly investing in equipment to become the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for Apple’s M6 MacBook Pro, targeted for late 2026.
- Apple reportedly ordered 13 million 10nm LPDDR5X 1b DRAM chips from Samsung for Q2 next year.
- iPhone 18 lineup is expected to standardize 12GB LPDDR5X RAM across models.
- Six-channel DRAM will boost bandwidth for AI and gaming tasks; LPDDR6 is not expected yet.
- Samsung’s stabilized yields make it the likely primary supplier; Micron and SK hynix were also approached.
Whether you’re watching the chip supply chain or tracking flagship phone specs, this early DRAM move signals Apple is preparing for a more memory-hungry future—one driven by AI, gaming, and increasingly sophisticated mobile workflows.
Source: wccftech
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