Apple's upcoming M7 Ultra chip may finally close the memory gap with the old Intel-based Mac Pro, offering up to 1.5TB of unified RAM according to the latest Power On newsletter by Mark Gurman. The new configuration, expected for 2027, would be a significant leap over current Apple Silicon limits, which have been constrained by soldered RAM on the processor die.
The quantum leap in unified memory: from 768GB to 1.5TB
According to the report, Apple is engineering the M7 Ultra chip to support up to 1.5 terabytes of memory — more than double the 768GB planned for the upcoming M5 Ultra arriving later this year. Gurman notes that the final decision will depend on memory chip availability and cost, currently impacted by a widespread shortage. Nonetheless, the technical roadmap already includes this record-breaking configuration.
Why 1.5TB is a milestone for Apple Silicon
Since the introduction of Apple Silicon Macs, soldered RAM has enabled extremely high transfer speeds thanks to unified memory architecture, but it also limited expandability. With the M7 Ultra, Apple would match the highest RAM configuration of the 2019 Intel Mac Pro, which offered up to 1.5TB. This is a crucial step for professional workstations handling intensive tasks like 3D rendering, scientific simulations, and 8K video editing.
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It is worth noting that rising component costs have already affected other Apple products, and the price of extra RAM could be prohibitive. Given Apple's typical pricing of about $25 per additional gigabyte, upgrading from 128GB to 1.5TB would cost over $35,000 just for memory.
Comparison with previous generations: M5 Ultra and M3 Ultra
Apple recently discontinued the 512GB and 256GB configurations of the M3 Ultra Mac Studio, leaving 96GB as the sole high-end option. The new M5 Ultra, expected in the coming months, will offer up to 768GB of unified memory — already a record. But the M7 Ultra aims to double that, solidifying Apple's position in the workstation segment. For those seeking extreme performance, the M7 Ultra could be the ultimate chip.
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Meanwhile, Apple has delayed iPhone Ultra pre-orders, signaling a recalibration of hardware strategy. Unified memory is a cornerstone of the Apple ecosystem, and surpassing the 1.5TB threshold could unlock new possibilities for on-device AI and machine learning.
To better understand unified memory, refer to the Wikipedia page on unified memory, which explains its bandwidth and efficiency advantages.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/07/12/m7-ultra-mac-studio-to-support-up-to-1-5-tb-unified-memory
