WWDC 2026 may be behind us, but the rumor mill for the iPhone 18 is already running at full speed. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple could introduce an unusual RAM capacity in its upcoming mid-range iPhones. Specifically, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are expected to ship with 9GB of RAM, compared to the 8GB in current models. If accurate, this would mark the first time Apple uses such an unconventional memory capacity in an iPhone.
Apple Intelligence drives hardware upgrades
The primary reason for this increase is to better support Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27. AI workloads require more memory, and to ensure a smooth experience, Apple may have decided to boost RAM in the base models. The Pro models, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, are expected to stick with 12GB, which is already sufficient for complex AI tasks. The rumored foldable iPhone Fold would also retain 12GB.
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A strategic shift that could influence the Android market
If Apple adopts 9GB of RAM, it would be an unusual technical choice, but it could also push Android manufacturers to experiment with similar capacities. Currently, most Android flagships offer 12GB or 16GB RAM, while budget models stick with 8GB. A move like this from Apple could redefine industry standards, as has happened before with other hardware specs.
Kuo emphasized that the RAM increase is solely intended to improve Apple Intelligence performance, signaling that AI is becoming a driving factor in Apple's hardware decisions. This trend is already visible elsewhere: for instance, Apple recently hiked Mac and iPad prices by up to 20% due to the AI memory crisis, showing how AI affects the entire product lineup.
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Additionally, with iOS 27, Apple enhanced the Shortcuts app with natural language commands, another feature that leverages Apple Intelligence and requires extra RAM. This confirms that the software ecosystem is pushing for more capable hardware. For more background, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on Apple Intelligence.
Timeline and future prospects
The new iPhone 18 and 18e are expected in the second half of 2027, but rumors already paint a clear picture: AI is no longer just software but a key factor in defining hardware specifications. It remains to be seen whether other companies will follow Apple's lead, adopting non-conventional RAM capacities to optimize the performance of their intelligent assistants.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/iphone-18-ram-upgrade-leak-3682183
