China’s CXMT expands into mobile DRAM, narrows yield gap with Samsung

China's largest DRAM maker, Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT), is broadening its competitive front against Samsung Electronics and SK hynix ↗ 9.01%, moving beyond PC memory into the mobile DRAM market while reportedly achieving manufacturing yields that approach those of the global leader.

Yield Milestone Raises Stakes

Chinese technology outlet MyDrivers reported on August 10 that CXMT's 17-nanometer DDR5 production yield has surpassed 90%, a figure that would place it within two percentage points of Samsung's reported 92–93% yield on comparable chips. The Korea Herald noted that the claim has not been independently verified and the outlet did not identify its source. A semiconductor industry source cited by the Chosun Ilbo cautioned that "many figures and information favorable to its corporate value have surfaced around its planned stock listing," urging skepticism toward individual claims.chosun+1

Still, the reported milestone signals rapid manufacturing improvement for a company that now holds roughly 10% of the global DRAM market, with Nomura projecting that share could reach 18% by 2028.scmp

From PCs to Smartphones

According to industry sources and The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 0.03%, Apple ↘ 0.87% is testing CXMT DRAM for iPhones and MacBooks and has held early talks about supplying parts for devices sold in China. PC makers HP ↗ 0.72% and Acer have already begun using CXMT chips in some products sold outside the United States.biz.chosun+1

CXMT's ambitions extend further. The company has expanded its lineup to include LPDDR5X, a low-power DRAM used in smartphones, and Chinese industry reports indicate it has developed LPDDR6 samples with speeds up to 12.8 Gbps. Mass production of LPDDR6 is reportedly being prepared for the second half of 2026, though CXMT has not officially confirmed the timeline.biz.chosun

Constraints Remain

The AI-driven memory shortage has accelerated CXMT's entry into global supply chains, as Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron ↗ 4.92% concentrate capacity on high-bandwidth memory and server products. But obstacles persist. U.S. export controls bar American firms from sharing chip design specifications with CXMT, meaning Apple would have to accept off-the-shelf parts rather than custom components. U.S. senators have warned Apple against sourcing from Chinese memory suppliers, and lawmakers are pushing to have CXMT formally blacklisted.aiweekly+3

With Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron still controlling over 90% of the global DRAM market, PC manufacturers remain wary that large-scale CXMT purchases could strain relationships with established suppliers.chosun