Apple has started testing DRAM chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) for devices intended for the Chinese market, according to a report by the Financial Times.
The Cupertino tech giant is simultaneously lobbying the US government to allow broader use of the Chinese manufacturer's products, marking a significant shift in its supply chain strategy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
CXMT, a state-backed Chinese memory chipmaker, remains on the Pentagon's blacklist and the US Department of Commerce's Entity List.
Apple's decision to test its components for devices sold exclusively within China highlights the company's effort to balance compliance with US export controls while maintaining competitiveness in its largest consumer market.
The move underscores the growing pressure on US tech firms to localize supply chains in response to Beijing's push for self-reliance in critical technologies.
The development comes as Apple continues to navigate complex regulatory landscapes between Washington and Beijing.