Apple’s next standard iPhone may arrive with a memory setup that is unusual even by smartphone standards. The iPhone 18 is rumored to use 9 GB of RAM, a configuration that would stand out in a market where most devices stick to even-numbered capacities.
The claim comes from market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who posted the forecast on X. According to Kuo, the regular iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e are expected to launch in the spring period of March to June 2027 with 9 GB of RAM.
That would mark a modest step up from the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e, which are said to have 8 GB of RAM. The Pro models are expected to stay at 12 GB, unchanged from the previous generation.
| Model | RAM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 | 9 GB | Up 1 GB from iPhone 17 |
| iPhone 18e | 9 GB | Up 1 GB from iPhone 17e |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 12 GB | Same as the previous generation |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 12 GB | Same as the previous generation |
The 9 GB figure is notable because smartphone makers usually offer memory in neat steps such as 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, or 16 GB. If the rumor proves accurate, Apple would be among the first to bring this type of setup to a mainstream phone line.
Why 9 GB Could Happen
Kuo says the unusual capacity comes from a different memory-chip arrangement. He expects the A20 chip in the iPhone 18 to use a 1.5 GB x 6 die configuration, instead of the A19’s 2 GB x 4 die layout.
That combination would total 9 GB of RAM. For the A20 Pro, Kuo believes Apple will use 1.5 GB x 8 die, resulting in 12 GB of RAM for the Pro models.
A die is a small silicon piece that forms the core of a semiconductor chip. In memory chips, several dies can be packaged together, and their combined capacity determines the final RAM available to the device.
Apple Intelligence Is the Main Goal
Kuo says the extra RAM on the regular iPhone 18 is intended to improve performance for Apple Intelligence features. That suggests Apple is preparing a stronger hardware base for its next wave of AI functions.
Even so, all of this remains a market prediction rather than an official announcement from Apple. The final RAM configuration could still change before the expected spring 2027 launch window.