Apple is grappling with a global DRAM shortage that threatens to limit supply of its upcoming premium iPhones, including the Pro, Pro Max, and foldable Ultra, as industry-wide memory constraints challenge manufacturing plans and could lead to higher prices and limited initial stock.
Apple is facing the prospect of tighter-than-usual supply for its next premium iPhones as a global memory squeeze ripples through the electronics industry. According to reports from Italian site HWUpgrade and Tom’s Hardware, the company is struggling to secure enough DRAM, raising the risk that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Ultra could reach shops in limited numbers after launch.
The pressure centres on memory availability rather than demand. Tom’s Hardware reported that roughly $1bn worth of processor wafers may be waiting for packaging because Apple and its suppliers have not been able to secure sufficient DRAM for the final stages of chip production. The same report said Apple relies heavily on Micron, with additional supply from SK Hynix and Samsung, but those vendors are also serving other customers with long-term commitments. Apple is said to be using TSMC’s advanced packaging for the new A20 Pro and C2 chips, adding another layer of complexity.
The supply problem matters because Apple is reportedly planning 12GB of RAM for its higher-end models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable device. MacRumors reported in July that even as lower-tier models are expected to gain more memory, they will still miss some Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 that require at least 12GB. That makes the premium models more dependent on scarce high-capacity components at a time when AI server makers are competing for the same memory.
Pricing may also move in the wrong direction for buyers. MacRumors said earlier this year that Apple has acknowledged rising memory costs, while The Wall Street Journal estimated that the iPhone 18 Pro could start at as much as $1,399. Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the company was still working through the issue. Industry analysis cited by MacRumors and other outlets suggests memory is taking a growing share of handset costs, while manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology shift more production towards AI data centres. Apple is also said to be exploring alternative suppliers, including China’s CXMT, though any such move could bring fresh supply-chain and political complications.
For now, the clearest risk is not that Apple misses its September launch window, but that initial stock may be thin and fulfilment times may stretch after the first wave of pre-orders. HWUpgrade said the foldable iPhone Ultra is already expected to be produced in limited volumes because of its more complex manufacturing process. Apple is also reportedly pushing the standard iPhone 18 and a new iPhone Air model into next year, a move that appears tied in part to the same memory constraints.
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