iPhone 18 Could Come With 12GB of RAM - MacRumors
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iPhone 18 Could Come With 12GB of RAM

Apple's standard iPhone 18 could feature 12GB of memory for the first time, according to analyst Dan Nystedt.

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In a new post on X, Nystedt said that the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ will match the 12GB of RAM Apple gave the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max last September. It would mark the first time the entry-level iPhone model has shipped with that much memory.

Nystedt also flagged an earlier rumor claiming that Apple has secured TSMC's first 2nm chip production run for the A20 chip set to power the ‌iPhone 18‌ lineup. According to that report, TSMC's 2nm process delivers 15% better computing performance than 3nm, with no loss in power efficiency. The iPhone 17 series uses TSMC's N3P ‌3nm‌ node.

The jump to 12GB of RAM on the base model is likely tied to Apple Intelligence. Apple is expected to introduce expanded AI features with iOS 27, which the company is set to announce at WWDC on June 8. On-device AI workloads are memory-intensive, and keeping the entry-level iPhone capable of running ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in full would give Apple reason to push the standard model's memory up to par with last year's Pro tier.

The ‌iPhone 18‌ is not expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro this fall. Apple is reportedly planning to delay the standard model until early 2027, alongside the iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air, while the Pro models and the long-anticipated foldable iPhone will ship in the usual fall time frame.

Related Roundup: iPhone 18
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Top Rated Comments

4 weeks ago
Tired of the Apple RAM management nonsense. My iPhone 17 Pro reloads apps All the time. Sometimes I just exit to check an SMS and voila the previous app reloads. Need more RAM 12GB is not enough.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4 weeks ago

The jump to 12GB of RAM on the base model is likely tied to Apple Intelligence.
Funny considering the iPhone 16 was "built for Apple Intelligence" with 8GB of RAM and nothing to show for it as of yet.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IIGS User Avatar
4 weeks ago
“The increase in ram may be tied to Apple Intelligence”.

Well then, too bad it won’t get used for anything.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KENESS Avatar
4 weeks ago

Do some work on FinalCut or Ableton or compile some project builds and you will insta throw your NEO from the Window
Sounds like completely normal tasks for a Neo and a wise product purchase decision.

In an unrelated matter, I'm frustrated my Phillips screwdriver struggles with the concrete foundation wall demolition project I'm working on.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
4 weeks ago
This is not exactly a shocking prediction. I might have expected the 12 GB upgrade to wait for the iPhone 19, but it would definitely be a possibility for iPhone 18 as well just going by common sense expectations.

However, much more important to me is the MacBook Neo. It would benefit from 12 GB even more than the iPhone would.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
4 weeks ago

Do some work on FinalCut or Ableton or compile some project builds and you will insta throw your NEO from the Window
and WHY would I do that on a Neo? if I need to do "heavy lifting", the Neo is not the right computer for me, should have gotten MBA or MBP. Personally, I do the "heavy lifting" on my Mac Studio
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)