Overview
- Trade outlets report Apple agreed to Samsung quotes near $2.00 per gigabit for DRAM and $0.33 per gigabit for NAND that are set to start in the first quarter of 2027.
- Those quoted rates are roughly 30–40% above mid‑2026 supplier prices, which industry math shows could add about $100 in memory cost to a typical iPhone configuration.
- Analysts and supply‑chain trackers say rapid prebooking of DRAM and high‑bandwidth memory by AI and cloud firms has diverted wafer capacity away from consumer LPDDR and NAND production.
- Reports say some handset makers rejected Samsung’s new terms while Apple explored other suppliers but remained with Samsung, a shift that tightens negotiating leverage for smaller OEMs.
- Industry forecasts expect tight memory supply into at least the first half of 2028, so consumers should watch for official Apple pricing updates for 2027 models as the company decides whether to absorb or pass on the costs.