Qualcomm Collaborates with China’s CXMT to Develop Custom DRAM for Smartphones

In a potentially transformative development for the mobile technology sector, Qualcomm is reportedly collaborating with China’s CXMT to create specialized memory solutions designed for smartphones. This initiative comes in response to the ongoing memory chip crisis that has adversely impacted the global mobile industry, causing significant supply chain disruptions.

Qualcomm and CXMT Form Strategic Partnership for Mobile DRAM Solutions

During a recent earnings call in February, Qualcomm acknowledged that while the majority of the dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) used in its system-on-chip (SoC) products is sourced directly by its customers, the company has been proactive in qualifying itself with every major memory supplier in the industry.

SCOOP: According to JoongAng Ilbo, Qualcomm is developing custom mobile memory with China’s CXMT.*Qualcomm did not respond to JoongAng Ilbo’s request for comment.https://t.co/6kWIuIKWRL pic.twitter.com/Zuq5mKDkaK

— Jukan (@jukan05) April 11, 2026

Only weeks later, JoongAng Ilbo revealed that Qualcomm is actively working with CXMT, a leading producer of DRAM, to develop customized memory chips specifically for mobile devices. This collaboration aims to address the dire shortage of DRAM currently plaguing the global market.

As many are aware, the mobile industry is struggling with a persistent DRAM shortfall, primarily due to production capabilities being redirected toward High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), which is in high demand for artificial intelligence applications. This scarcity has severe implications, particularly for the entry-level and mid-range smartphone markets, where limited pricing flexibility constrains manufacturers.

Recent analysis indicates that DRAM currently constitutes about 35% of the bill of materials (BOM) for entry-level smartphones, with NAND flash memory adding another 19%.Collectively, these components represent a staggering 54% of the total production costs for budget devices.

Amidst these challenges, Qualcomm and MediaTek have reportedly reduced their production rates for 4nm chips, which are crucial for affordable and mid-tier smartphones. This reduction translates into a loss of approximately 20, 000 to 30, 000 wafers, equating to a shortfall of roughly 15 to 20 million mobile chips.

Given the current manufacturing landscape, Qualcomm’s pursuit of custom memory solutions in collaboration with CXMT appears strategic, allowing the company to maintain its production cadence. However, it is anticipated that a significant portion of these memory chips will be primarily targeted at the Chinese smartphone market.

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