According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the lower-end iPhone 18 models arriving in spring 2027 will feature 9GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the current iPhone 17. The new A20 chip will use a configuration of six 1.5GB dies totaling 9GB, instead of the 2GB x 4 die setup used in current lower-end iPhone 17 models.
Technical choice to support artificial intelligence
Apple decided to increase RAM to ensure optimal performance for AI workloads. The company aims to make future iPhones fully compatible with all Apple Intelligence features planned for iOS 27. With 9GB of RAM, devices will handle language models and machine learning operations more smoothly.
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Comparison with Pro models and foldable
Kuo details that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the anticipated foldable iPhone, arriving in fall 2027, will feature 12GB of RAM using eight 1.5GB dies, similar to current iPhone 17 Pro models. The memory gap between base and Pro models reflects a segmentation strategy targeting different user needs.
Possible price increase for new models
Apple recently raised prices across its Mac and iPad lines, while iPhone 17 pricing remained unchanged. However, with cost increases even for entry-level devices like the base iPad and MacBook Neo, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e likely won't escape a price hike. According to Kuo, the company may implement price increases with the Pro models launch, and standard models will follow.
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Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/26/iphone-18-9gb-ram
