Tech giant Apple is facing the harshest effects of the global DRAM shortage. Having already increased prices with the iPhone 17 Pro series, the company is now struggling with exorbitant price hikes in memory supply. According to recent reports, the amount Apple pays for 12GB LPDDR5X RAM chips used in the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 18 models to be produced next year has increased by 230% compared to the beginning of the year.

Cost per chip skyrockets to $70

At the beginning of the year, Apple paid between $25 and $29 for each 12GB LPDDR5X memory chip; now it is forced to pay a full $70 for the same part. The fact that its long-term contracts with Samsung and SK Hynix will expire in January 2026 is forcing the company to adopt a new strategy. Samsung, which currently controls a large portion (60-70%) of the supply chain, plays a key role in determining prices.

Apple is preparing countermeasures to avoid passing this cost increase on to consumers. The company plans to save money by reducing its reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm. The savings achieved through its own A20 processors and C2 5G modem, which will be used in the iPhone 18 family (starting mass production in 2026), are intended to absorb the rising RAM costs. This will help prevent further price increases.

Industry analyses indicate that this bottleneck in the DRAM market will not be resolved quickly. The shortage is expected to continue until the fourth quarter of 2027. While Apple currently holds a strong position with its pre-existing stock, it is noted that competitors may be forced to reduce the hardware specifications of their products. Apple’s actions for the iPhone 18 series, which will begin mass production in February, will determine the fate of the market.

So, do you think Apple will lose customers if the rising costs are reflected in iPhone prices? Share your thoughts in the comments!