The arrival of the standard iPhone 18 in 2026 is likely to see Apple increase the RAM in the base model to facilitate smoother use of AI features such as Apple Intelligence.
Dan Nystedt, an analyst with insider supply chain connections, revealed that the iPhone 18 will launch with the A20 chipset and feature 12GB of RAM. This is an upgrade from last year's iPhone 17, which had only 8GB of RAM, bringing the specs closer to those of the iPhone 17 Pro.
The decision to increase RAM in the standard iPhone 18 stems from Apple’s aim to make Apple Intelligence more accessible to a broader user base, given that future AI processing will become more complex and demand more resources.
Looking back, Apple raised RAM from 8GB in the iPhone 16 Pro to 12GB in the iPhone 17 Pro last year. The upcoming upgrade of the standard model to Pro-level specs signals a clear move by Apple to set new standards for AI-era smartphones, where RAM capacity is as crucial as the CPU.
However, to keep the iPhone 18 affordable, Apple may need to cut costs in some manufacturing areas to balance the increased RAM without raising the retail price beyond reach.Similar to the iPhone 17,from last year.
Currently, with the global surge in memory chip prices, Apple faces scrutiny over how it will balance device specifications and cost management for the new iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e launching early next year.
Source:9to5Mac