GoKawiilSome memory chips for Apple devices could be made in the US for the first time, if plans involving one of the company’s suppliers come to fruition.
A new report says that Apple memory supplier SK Hynix is in talks with Intel over potential use of the company’s planned Ohio chipmaking plant …
Reuters reports that details are sketchy at this stage, but the Korean company makes both RAM and flash memory chips for Apple devices.
SK Hynix is in talks with Intel about a deal that would see the South Korean company manufacture memory chips on U.S. soil for the first time, three people familiar with the discussions said. Under one potential scenario, SK Hynix would lease part of Intel’s long-planned chipmaking facility in Ohio.
Some processors for Apple devices are already made on US soil, although restrictions on foreign access to TSMC’s most advanced processes mean that these are only for older devices. This wouldn’t be an issue for either DRAM or NAND flash memory chips as Apple uses industry-standard versions of these.
However, the report says that the plans may face opposition from the South Korean government, as it may share Taiwan’s concerns about the export of chipmaking tech, even for for less advanced processes.
SK Hynix says that nothing has been finalized. Intel declined to comment on the report, but did confirm it was continuing plans to develop the Ohio site.
Photo: iFixit