Apple’s got a pretty big appetite for NAND flash memory modules. Now that the iPhone 3GS boasts 32GB of onboard storage, and is headed to China Unicom’s massive subscriber-base, Apple is gobbling up flash memory chips faster than suppliers can punch them out. DigiTimes is reporting that the world’s main NAND manufacturers are prioritizing Apple’s increased flash demands, which will leave other customers out of luck in the short term. The shortage is bad enough that Samsung Electronics sent out a notice that it will halve its September NAND flash supply. Micron Technologies has gone so far as to tell their other customers that NAND flash memory supplies are tapped out. When Apple wants NAND, they get NAND.
Apple buys so much NAND flash memory for its iPod and iPhone devices that memory chip manufacturers cater to Apple’s demands. Even if it leaves the smaller fish out to dry – Cupertino’s business is that important. In the flash memory market, there’s Apple and then there’s everyone else. When Apple ramps up their NAND demand, the world takes note. People like us, get curious.
Apple’s increased demand for NAND flash memory might signal the company’s intention to push millions more iPhones to China Mobile’s 600+ million subscribers. On the other hand, China Unicom is already on board to push iPhones in China, so Apple may just be getting ready to ship WiFi-less iPhones for that deal. Still, If Apple does manage to crack China Mobile and get the iPhone onto the world’s single-largest wireless network, iPhone demand might very well skyrocket – and along with it, demand for NAND chips.
And you know Apple will get what they need.
[Via: DigiTimes]