Apple CEO Tim Cook confirms a possible forthcoming memory/CPU shortage as AI data centers gobble up components
Publish Date: 2026-05-06 05:00:00
Source Domain: www.powerpage.org
While Apple has historically been able to work through problems asssociated with the global supply chain and avoid delays and shortages where critical parts are concerned, it might not be able to manage its way out of this one.
Per AppleInsider and Taiwanese website DigiTimes, a new report has indicated that TSMC’s 3nm processors will remain in shorter supply than usual. Although Apple’s launch of 2nm processors for the next MacBook Pro generation might improve the situation, company CEO Tim Cook commented during the most recent earnings call that the current shortage of memory would be an increasing problem, with the expectation that iPhone and Mac prices will rise.
As you’ve probably heard, the demand from AI firms is such that Apple and other technology companies may not be able to buy sufficient memory or even processors at any price, the new report that this is going to continue.
The DigiTimes article noted that 3nm processors for the Mac will remain constrained until processor TSMC manufacturer is able to ramp up its 2-nanometer manufacturing. Apple is expected to use TSMC’s 2nm processor in the forthcoming OLED MacBook Pro, which had been predicted for the end of 2026.
Recent reports have said that this MacBook Pro is now delayed until 2027.
Per Cook as to forthcoming memory prices: “I can tell you that beyond the June quarter,” he said, “we believe memory costs will drive an increasing impact on our business.”
Cook specified that the constraints will be seen for the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and MacBook Neo, as opposed to the iPhone. The iPhone 18, which is expected to be released this fall, is expected to use the A20 and A20 Pro processors, both of which are 2-nanometer designs. In August 2025, it was reported that Apple would be taking half of TSMC’s 2-nanometer processor capacity.
Apple is also reported to have recently lost its status as TSMC’s largest customer, with Nvidia taking the top slot as it sources…
