Apple has reportedly agreed to pay higher prices for Samsung memory chips starting in the first quarter of 2027, potentially adding further pressure to the cost of future iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

According to a DigiTimes report citing an earlier report from Chinese publication Jiemian News, Apple has agreed to pay nearly $2 per GB for DRAM and around $0.33 per GB for NAND storage.

These prices would represent an estimated 30% to 40% increase compared with what Apple is paying for the same types of memory in the third quarter of 2026.

Apple Faces Higher Memory Costs

The reported agreement covers two critical components used across Apple's product lineup: DRAM and NAND storage.

DRAM provides temporary working memory for devices, while NAND is used for long-term storage. Both components have become significantly more expensive as demand from the artificial intelligence industry continues to grow.

Apple's reported pricing agreement with Samsung suggests that higher memory costs could continue into 2027 rather than being a short-term issue.

AI Data Centers Are Driving Memory Demand

A major factor behind the increase is the rapid expansion of AI data centers.

AI companies are building large-scale computing infrastructure that requires substantial amounts of high-performance memory and storage. The resulting demand has contributed to tighter global memory supplies and higher component prices.

The pressure is particularly significant for major electronics manufacturers that purchase memory at enormous volumes.

Could iPhone and Mac Prices Increase Again?

It remains unclear whether the higher memory costs will eventually translate into higher prices for Apple's products.

Apple could absorb some of the additional component costs through its supply chain and margins. Alternatively, the company may have already accounted for higher memory prices expected in early 2027 when setting its current product pricing.

As a result, the reported Samsung agreement does not necessarily mean that Apple's products will become more expensive in 2027.

However, continued increases in component costs could make pricing decisions more difficult for future iPhone, iPad, and Mac models.

Apple Has Already Raised Prices Across Its Product Lineup

Apple has already implemented multiple price increases in 2026.

In June, the company raised prices on Macs and iPads, as well as products including the Apple TV, HomePod, HomePod mini, and Vision Pro. Many of the increases were reportedly between $100 and $300.

Apple has also increased pricing for some iPhone models. The iPhone 18 Pro starts $100 higher in the U.S. than the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro, while some older iPhone models have also become more expensive.

Former Apple CEO Tim Cook previously described the price increases as “unavoidable” because of the ongoing chip shortage, comparing the situation to a “100-year flood.”

Memory Costs Could Remain a Key Issue for Apple

If memory prices continue rising into 2027, DRAM and NAND could become an increasingly important factor in Apple's hardware costs.

The company's reported agreement with Samsung highlights how the growing demand for AI infrastructure is affecting the broader consumer electronics supply chain.

For now, it remains uncertain whether Apple will pass these additional costs directly to customers or absorb some of the increase. Future product pricing will likely depend on memory market conditions, production costs, and Apple's broader pricing strategy.

Source: MacRumors