According to sources, Apple Inc is exploring new suppliers of memory chips used in its iPhones and iPods, including a possible first Chinese supplier, following the news that a crucial Japanese supplier experienced an interruption in production, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.
Japanese-based Kioxia Holdings Corp — one of the leading suppliers of memory flash chips for Apple — has disclosed the presence of contamination in two manufacturing facilities that the company claims could result in a reduction in production.
According to the report, Apple is now testing NAND flash memory chips made by Chinese semiconductor firm Yangtze Memory Technologies Co, adding they said that Apple’s iPhone company has been talking about the partnership for months.
Apple to cut iPhone, AirPods output: Nikkei.
The Yangtze did not respond to requests for comment. Apple did not respond immediately to Reuter’s recommendations for a response to the report.
In the last month, another critical Apple supplier Foxconn was forced to shut down its Shenzhen operations due to an increase in cases of COVID-19.
A constant shortage of chips has also affected production in the electronics and automotive sectors, forcing some companies to reduce production.