Apple Orders 12GB LPDDR5X RAM From Samsung for Foldable iPhone [Report]

Apple has reportedly placed orders with Samsung for memory chips expected to power its highly anticipated foldable iPhone. The order secures 12GB of LPDDR5X DRAM for the device ahead of a planned launch in the second half of the year.



Supply chain sources in Korea indicate that Samsung will begin shipping the memory modules to Apple assemblers in the second quarter. Securing these components did not come cheap. While Apple routinely leverages its massive order volumes to negotiate favorable rates, the agreed-upon price for this DRAM is nearly double what the company paid a year ago.The increase reflects a sharp rise in DRAM prices over the past year, as strong demand tied to AI infrastructure has tightened supply across the market. The trend is already affecting Apple's component costs, as noted in a recent report on rising memory pricing across the industry. Despite the jump, insiders say Apple is still securing DRAM at a lower price than many competing smartphone makers.


Samsung is expected to act as the primary supplier thanks to its large production capacity, though Apple will likely also source memory from SK Hynix and Micron as part of its multi-vendor supply strategy. The 12GB configuration also matches earlier reports that the foldable will share high-end internal specifications with the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup.That memory capacity is expected to provide enough headroom to support Apple Intelligence features running on device.

The relationship between the two companies extends beyond internal memory. Samsung Display has secured the role as the exclusive supplier for the folding screen itself. Rivals including LG Display and BOE have reportedly struggled to achieve the stable mass production yields required to meet Apple's quality targets for the complex component. To prepare for the upcoming volume, Samsung Display established a dedicated production line in Asan, Chungnam last year, with full-scale manufacturing expected to ramp up in the second quarter. This matches earlier supply chain feedback that production on the crease-free display panels is already moving forward.

Initial production volumes for the device are expected to be conservative. Industry estimates place shipments for the first year in the low millions, which would account for less than five percent of Apple's total annual iPhone sales. Limiting the initial run allows Apple to manage the complexities of a new hardware form factor while securing enough high-end components in a constrained market.

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