According to independent tech journalist Tim Culpan, Apple and its suppliers are urgently acquiring DRAM memory chips to meet the demand for the upcoming iPhone 18 series. With less than six weeks until the expected launch, Apple's assembly supply chain is accelerating the coordination of DRAM chip supply. Previously, Apple had attempted to negotiate lower DRAM procurement prices with China's CXMT (CXMT) but was rejected, as CXMT insisted on quoting prices no lower than, or even higher than, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This reflects the tightening global DRAM supply as AI data center demand continues to squeeze storage resources, leading to increased bargaining power for memory suppliers and new supply chain challenges for Apple.