Apple has increased its purchases of DRAM and NAND flash from Japan, according to industry sources, adding that Toshiba and Elpida Memory are being pinpointed as beneficiaries of the increased procurement.

Apple has moved to reduce its reliance on memory supplies from Samsung Electronics, the sources claimed. The vendor has procured more NAND flash parts from Toshiba, and mobile RAM from Elpida, the sources indicated.

The ongoing patent lawsuits between Apple and Samsung have been key to encouraging Apple to diversify its supplier base, the sources pointed out. Samsung has been the largest component supplier for Apple's products.

The speculation follows previous reports saying that Apple has placed contract orders for its next-generation processors with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Apple has in the past contracted Samsung to manufacture silicon designed for its iOS devices.

Samsung currently has a more than 40% share of the global DRAM market, and remains the largest NAND flash producer with an over 30% market share.