International Perspective · August 10, 2026
① WSJ: Apple Testing CXMT Memory Chips Across iPhone and MacBook Lines, Holds Preliminary Supply Talks [详见中文版] — The Wall Street Journal reported on Aug 9, citing people familiar with the matter, that Apple is testing memory chips from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) across product lines including iPhone and MacBook to ease AI-driven memory shortages, and has held preliminary talks with CXMT on component supply, initially targeting devices sold in China. Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report. The Financial Times had reported in early July that Apple began qualifying CXMT DRAM for China-market devices while lobbying Washington for broader approval; CXMT remains on the Pentagon's Chinese military companies list. On the FY2026 Q3 earnings call Tim Cook said Apple is 'evaluating all options' and that having more suppliers is a good thing. (The Wall Street Journal / Reuters)
② DIGITIMES: Proposed US Ban on New Chinese Optical Transceivers Risks Slowing AI Data Center Build-out [详见中文版] — DIGITIMES reported on Aug 7 that a proposed US ban on new Chinese optical transceivers could disrupt AI data center build-outs before Western suppliers have sufficient capacity to replace Chinese production, raising the risk of higher costs, delayed cluster deployments and stranded GPUs. A related Aug 6 piece noted that US curbs on Chinese optical modules cloud the outlook for Taiwan-based suppliers even as some posted record revenue. (DIGITIMES)
③ Nvidia Executive Details CPO Production Progress and the Continued Role of Pluggable Optics — In a DIGITIMES interview published Aug 7, an Nvidia executive discussed the progress of co-packaged optics (CPO) production for the company's switch platforms and how pluggable optical modules continue to be positioned alongside CPO in AI networking deployments. (DIGITIMES)