Apple Reportedly Accepts Even Higher RAM and Storage Prices in 2027

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Published: 2026-09-17T23:53:34.219Z • Permanent link

DigiTimes reported earlier this week, citing an earlier report from Chinese publication Jiemian News, that Apple has reportedly agreed to pay nearly 2 per GB of DRAM and 0.33 per GB of NAND storage. This is a 30% to 40% increase in pricing for these chips compared to what Apple was reportedly paying previously, according to sources familiar with the matter. This news comes at a time when the global semiconductor industry is already facing intense pressure to increase production and meet growing demand for advanced chip technology.

According to reports, the decision was made by Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, Johny Srouji, in collaboration with the company's Chief Manufacturing Officer, Jeff Williams. The two executives worked closely with suppliers to negotiate the price increases, which are expected to take effect in the latter half of 2027. Apple's decision to pay higher prices for these chips is seen as a sign of the company's commitment to investing in its supply chain and meeting the growing demand for advanced chip technology.

Industry analysts have expressed concerns that the price increases could have a ripple effect throughout the global electronics supply chain, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers and reduced profit margins for companies that rely on Apple's chip technology. However, others see the move as a necessary step to ensure that Apple can continue to produce high-quality, high-performance chips that meet the company's demanding standards.

The price increases for DRAM and NAND storage chips have significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Companies that rely on these chips, such as data centers, cloud computing providers, and artificial intelligence researchers, will need to absorb the increased costs or find alternative suppliers. This could lead to reduced investment in AI research and development, as well as decreased innovation in areas such as machine learning and natural language processing.

For example, companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, which have already invested heavily in AI research and development, may need to re-evaluate their strategies in light of the increased costs. This could lead to a shift towards more cost-effective solutions, such as using lower-cost storage options or outsourcing certain functions to third-party providers. Alternatively, companies may choose to absorb the increased costs and continue to invest in AI research and development, potentially leading to breakthroughs in areas such as image recognition and natural language processing.

The decision by Apple to pay higher prices for DRAM and NAND storage chips is part of a larger pattern of increasing costs in the global semiconductor industry. The industry has been facing intense pressure to increase production and meet growing demand for advanced chip technology, driven in part by the increasing use of AI and machine learning in areas such as cloud computing, data centers, and the Internet of Things.