Too little, too late? iPhone 18 RAM leak stuns fans

Technology analysts suggest that Apple is preparing a memory upgrade for its next-generation entry-level iPhone

Technology analysts suggest that Apple is preparing a memory upgrade for its next-generation entry-level iPhone models, with the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e expected to feature 9GB of RAM.

The move would represent an increase from the 8GB RAM expected in the current iPhone 17 series and signals Apple’s effort to improve performance in everyday tasks and artificial intelligence features without significantly increasing production costs.

According to supply chain reports, Apple plans to achieve the 9GB configuration by using six memory modules of 1.5GB each alongside its upcoming A20 processor. This differs from the existing approach used in recent iPhone models, which rely on four 2GB memory modules to deliver 8GB of RAM.

The decision has attracted attention because Apple recently introduced advanced on-device AI capabilities that reportedly require at least 12GB of memory for their full functionality. Features such as more natural Siri conversations, enhanced voice processing and smarter system-wide dictation may therefore remain exclusive to premium devices.

Apple’s higher-end devices, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the company’s anticipated foldable iPhone, are expected to retain 12GB of RAM. These models will likely use the more powerful A20 Pro chipset paired with additional memory resources to support demanding AI workloads.

Industry observers believe the company is attempting to strike a balance between hardware upgrades and rising semiconductor costs, as memory supply constraints continue to affect manufacturers worldwide.

Despite carrying less memory than the Pro models, the standard iPhone 18 series is still expected to benefit from Apple’s new 2-nanometre A20 chip. The processor is projected to offer notable gains in speed and power efficiency compared with the previous generation, improving overall device responsiveness and battery performance.

The premium iPhone 18 lineup is expected to debut in late 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models could follow several months later during the spring of 2027.