DigiTimes is reporting via industry sources that NAND flash supplies have become "tighter" as major producers Samsung Electronics, Toshiba, Micron and Hynix Semiconductor attempt to meet demand for Apple. The report suggests that other buyers are beginning to look elsewhere for supplies, IM Flash is said to be one manufacturer on the end of this.
NAND flash is used by Apple across a number of products but most of Apple's purchased chips will be destined for the iPhone and iPod.
Demand for NAND flash is expected to climb 81 percent in 2009 although Apple's constrain on the market is causing prices to rise by up to 14 percent.
Contract prices for mainstream 16Gb and 32Gb MLC NAND flash chips rose 7-8% and 8-14%, respectively, to average US$4.98 and US$7.68 in the first half of October, according to DRAMeXchange data. The 64Gb segment also saw a price rally of 6-13% to US$14.50 on average.