Apple is responding to component-cost pressure with a lower-priced product strategy including leasing, MacBook Neo, and annual iPhone E models, while delayed but practical Siri AI will bring generative AI to hundreds of millions; Apple has little AI-bubble or capex exposure and can thrive if AI commoditizes because of its silicon and distribution.
AI data-center capex is fueling an extraordinary DRAM/memory boom unlike past cycles, tight enough that Apple had to raise prices midcycle, keeping memory component pricing elevated near term.
Google is comfortable in a commoditized AI world because its scale and distribution allow it to thrive; it is backing Apple to help commoditize LLMs and kneecap OpenAI and Anthropic, and it would survive an AI bubble burst while remaining embedded in consumer flows.