Apple has been testing CXMT memory not only for the iPhone but also for the Mac as the global chip shortage forces the company to explore alternative suppliers, even though CXMT is blacklisted by the U.S. While this is not the low‑cost solution Apple hoped for, the testing continues. Competitors HP and Acer are already shipping devices overseas using CXMT RAM, and they have not sought U.S. government approval. Apple has asked the administration for permission, but no grant has been made public. CXMT was briefly removed from the U.S. blacklist in February 2026 and reinstated in June 2026, though it remains off the Entity List. Apple’s attempt to negotiate lower prices was rebuffed, as CXMT says it has orders from Huawei and Xiaomi, keeping pricing on par with Samsung and SK Hynix.

Rising AI demand has driven up chip costs and reduced availability, eroding Apple’s buying power. As long as manufacturing and sales stay outside the U.S., HP, Acer, and Apple do not yet need exemptions, but Apple’s cautious approach continues while its request remains pending.