The iPhone 18 model, which Apple is expected to introduce in early 2027, may bring a significant increase in memory compared to the current generation. According to a new research note published by analyst Jeff Pu, the standard iPhone 18 will have 12 GB of RAM. Thus, Apple will switch to a 50 percent higher capacity than the 8 GB RAM used in the iPhone 17. Previous claims were that the standard model would come with 9 GB of RAM. If Pu’s latest information is correct, 9 GB RAM will remain exclusive to the iPhone 18e, which is expected to be more affordable.
The new claim about the amount of memory differs from the information previously given by Ming-Chi Kuo, known for his predictions regarding Apple’s supply chain. Kuo stated that both the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models will have 9 GB of RAM. Jeff Pu suggests that Apple will make a more clear distinction between the two phones in terms of memory capacity. Accordingly, while the iPhone 18e uses 9 GB of RAM, the capacity of the standard iPhone 18 will increase to 12 GB. Both models are Apple’s next generation from A20 chip It is expected to gain power.
12 GB RAM for iPhone 18 may provide an advantage for Apple Intelligence
The extent to which the increase in RAM capacity will be felt in daily use will not be determined only by hardware features. As Apple increasingly bases its AI features on models running on more devices, the amount of available memory becomes more decisive for Apple Intelligence. Especially with the plans for Siri to have more advanced and smart features with iOS 27, this may increase the memory need on the iPhone side. In this respect, 12 GB of RAM can provide more space for the standard iPhone 18 to perform more complex artificial intelligence operations on the device. However, due to Apple’s software optimizations in memory management, it is not possible to make a definitive assessment of performance by looking only at the amount of RAM.
A change from the Pro models can also be seen in the screen design of the iPhone 18. According to Jeff Pu, the phone will be used first on the iPhone 18 Pro. revamped Dynamic Island design will adopt. It is not yet clear exactly how Dynamic Island’s new format will differ from the current implementation. Various claims have been coming to the fore for a while about Apple increasing the number of components under the screen or reducing the cutout area on the front. If the standard model also uses the renewed design, the front-end differences between the iPhone 18 and the Pro family may be more limited.
It is said that Apple will organize the promotion calendar of the iPhone 18 family differently from previous years. According to information that has been on the agenda for a long time, the company can only announce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone Ultra models at the traditional iPhone event in September. The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 may meet with users in a separate period in early 2027. Such a schedule would mean that Apple would distribute models from the same iPhone generation to two different periods. Jeff Pu’s latest note also supports the expectation that the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could be launched at the same time in early 2027.
For now, RAM capacity, Dynamic Island change and promotion schedule are not confirmed information by Apple. Moreover, the fact that Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo gave different figures regarding memory shows that Apple’s final hardware configuration has not been finalized yet. Despite this, the 12 GB RAM option seems technically reasonable for the standard iPhone at a time when Apple Intelligence features will work more intensively on the device.
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