Intel Stock CRASH Explained—Is Apple the Next Casualty of the Memory Crisis?

Intel’s shares plunged over 17% following its latest earnings release, as management flagged surging memory costs and wafer-substrate constraints as critical headwinds impacting its near-term outlook. CFO David Zinsner highlighted that while the company had secured DRAM and NAND memory supply for H1 2026, component prices were rising sharply—up 40–50% in Q1 alone, following a similar spike in Q4 2025. These dynamics stem from AI-driven demand shifts that are distorting traditional memory market supply chains. Benchmarking the impact, Intel pointed to adverse effects on unit volumes and revenue potential. But Intel may not be alone—Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) could soon face similar cost pressures, particularly as production ramps up for its next-generation iPhone. According to UBS, the memory line item—often 10–15% of an iPhone’s bill of materials—could see inflationary shocks that compress gross margins by 50 to 100 basis points in upcoming quarters.