AI Demand Gives Flash Suppliers Leverage Over Apple
AI hyperscaler demand has reportedly pushed NAND flash prices to about five times their previous level, shifting purchasing leverage from Apple toward suppliers such as Kioxia. TechInsights estimates that Apple’s flash-storage spending could rise from $6 billion in 2025 to $25 billion this year for roughly the same volume, while suppliers have reportedly signed higher-price long-term contracts with major cloud companies. The Wall Street Journal also detailed Apple’s former aggressive procurement tactics, including supplier audits and most-favored-customer terms.
The reported reversal shows how AI infrastructure demand is reshaping the NAND market and weakening Apple’s historical ability to secure storage at low prices.
10月29日，《华尔街日报》周三发文称，多年来，苹果公司一直拥有强大的议价能力，对闪存芯片供应商予取予求，要求获得行业最低价，甚至审计供应商的账目。然而，AI需求改变了这一局面，供应商们“翻身”了，他们转而对苹果收取更高售价。
吃亏的供应商
在南加州沙漠的一次骑行中，销售高管斯科特·纳尔逊(Scott Nelson)停下越野摩托车，掏出一支步枪，朝自己那台旧iPod开了一枪。
纳尔逊曾向苹果销售闪存芯片，却始终觉得自己在交易中吃尽了亏。他所在的日本制造商铠侠几乎没有议价能力。苹果是全球最大的闪存采购商，这些芯片被用于iPhone，用来存储照片、音乐和应用程序。苹果利用自身的市场地位，竭力从供应商身上榨取每一分钱。它还迫使闪存制造商公开账目，以便监控销售情况，确保没有其他客户获得更优惠的价格。
铠侠和其他闪存制造商对此一直耿耿于怀：苹果以极低的价格向他们采购闪存，却将这些存储产品以高出许多倍的价格卖给消费者。纳尔逊对双方议价能力的巨大差距深感不满，甚至以使用Android手机的方式表达抗议。
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