Apple could deliver a significant performance upgrade to the base iPhone 18, with the smartphone potentially receiving a major increase in RAM — up to 12GB — according to a new analyst report.
This comes despite an ongoing RAM shortage that’s driving up prices of rival devices. But keeping up with AI probably doesn’t give Apple much choice.
iPhone 18 leak suggests bigger RAM for non-Pro buyers
Historically, iOS has been remarkably efficient with RAM, relying on tight hardware-software integration to deliver smooth iPhone performance even with less memory than competing smartphones.
But the rise of on-device AI is beginning to change that equation. Features grouped under Apple Intelligence require far more working memory, and that will be even more true in the fall when iOS 27 ushers in the AI-powered Siri.
The report that RAM in the base iPhone 18 is in for a boost comes from analyst Dan Nystedt, who wrote in a recent post on X that a recurring supply-chain rumor points to a jump to 12GB of RAM in the upcoming device.
While unconfirmed, this fits with Apple’s habit of bringing features to the base-model iPhone that debuted earlier in the Pro versions. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max were the first with 12GB of RAM. (Rumors indicate the iPhone 18 Pro models will stick with that amount.)
This is happening as a rapid rise of artificial intelligence puts enormous pressure on the global memory supply chain. Demand for RAM to go into AI servers surged as companies race to build out data centers. That’s pushed up prices.
And a faster chip!
Apple’s next-generation A20 chip, rumored to be built on TSMC’s advanced 2-nanometer process, could accompany the iPhone 18’s RAM boost. That combination should deliver improved performance and efficiency.
That said, the news about the base-model iPhone 18 isn’t all good. More RAM could add to Apple’s cost to produce the handset, which it might offset by paring back several of its manufacturing processes.
Plus, potential buyers should know that the base-model iPhone 18 likely will not launch this fall. In a major shakeup to its launch cycle, Apple reportedly will hold the device until early 2027. The strategy would bring the iPhone 18 Pro models — and the first folding iPhone — to market first.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
