AI Memory Demand Weakens Apple's Buying Leverage

The DIGITIMES commentary says Apple's long-running procurement model is under pressure as AI demand lifts HBM and DRAM markets. The company has historically used scale to push component costs lower, but that approach is harder when memory suppliers have stronger alternatives in AI infrastructure demand. For RamTrend, the signal is that premium memory demand is changing buyer-supplier power across the broader device market. Apple's interest in additional leverage through CXMT also shows how major buyers may try to diversify sourcing if Micron and other established suppliers gain pricing power.