Apple is reportedly preparing a notable memory upgrade for its next non-Pro iPhones, but the move may still fall short of unlocking the company’s most advanced on-device AI. According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could arrive with 9GB of RAM, up from 8GB on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e.
The increase is being tied directly to Apple Intelligence requirements in iOS 27. For Apple’s lower-end models, the extra memory is expected to help AI features run more smoothly and reduce the gap with the company’s premium devices.
Apple Intelligence is pushing the hardware shift
Kuo said on X that iOS 27 will bring tighter Apple Intelligence integration at the system level. Because of that, Apple’s lower-end models in the first half of 2027 are expected to move to 9GB DRAM.
The predicted memory layout is also unusual. Apple is said to be able to use six 1.5GB DRAM chips to reach a total of 9GB.
| Model | Expected RAM | Reported Memory Setup |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | 8GB | Four 2GB chips |
| iPhone 17e | 8GB | Four 2GB chips |
| iPhone 18 | 9GB | Six 1.5GB chips |
| iPhone 18e | 9GB | Six 1.5GB chips |
That is a modest gain on paper, but Kuo believes the additional 1GB could make a meaningful difference when Apple Intelligence tasks are handled on-device. The change would also signal that Apple is adjusting its hardware baseline to keep mainstream iPhones aligned with its AI roadmap.
The 12GB threshold still separates the most capable models
Even so, 9GB may not be enough for Apple’s most advanced on-device AI model. Apple has said its latest on-device AI model requires at least 12GB of unified memory, which leaves current lower-memory iPhones outside the top tier.
The devices said to meet that requirement include iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPads with M4 or newer chips and at least 12GB of memory, Macs with M3 or newer chips and 12GB unified memory, and Apple Vision Pro with the M5 chip.
By contrast, the standard iPhone 17 does not qualify because it has 8GB of memory. The newer AI model supports features such as more expressive Siri voice output and advanced dictation, making memory a more important divider between Apple’s device tiers.
Pro models are expected to keep their lead
For the higher-end lineup, Kuo expects Apple to keep specifications at a higher level. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are said to remain at 12GB of RAM.
Apple’s first widely discussed foldable, often referred to as iPhone Ultra, is also expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 family and could carry 12GB of RAM as well.
| Model | Expected RAM | Expected Chip |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro | 12GB | A20 Pro |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 12GB | A20 Pro |
| iPhone Ultra | 12GB | A20 Pro |
Those three premium devices are expected to use eight 1.5GB memory chips and the A20 Pro chipset. Kuo also said the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are likely to use the A20 chip built on TSMC’s 2nm Gate-All-Around process, which could improve both performance and efficiency.
The divide suggests Apple is continuing to separate AI capability by model tier. Standard iPhones may get enough memory to deliver a better Apple Intelligence experience, while the company’s most advanced on-device AI appears reserved for devices with 12GB or more.
Launch timing could change the way the lineup is split
The RAM rumor arrives alongside reports that Apple may alter its iPhone release strategy. The company is said to be considering a new pattern in which only Pro models launch in September, while standard versions follow in March of the next year.
Apple has not confirmed that plan. If it is adopted, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could arrive separately from the Pro models and reinforce the growing gap between Apple’s standard and premium iPhones in the Apple Intelligence era.
For buyers, a jump to 9GB RAM would be a clear sign that Apple is adapting its mainstream devices to modern AI demands. It may not be enough for the company’s most advanced on-device AI, but it could still make the next non-Pro iPhones noticeably more capable.