Apple’s next non-Pro iPhones may deliver a more meaningful change than the numbers suggest. The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are reportedly set to arrive in the first half of 2027 with the A20 chip and 9GB of RAM, a combination aimed at handling a heavier AI workload in iOS.
The move matters because Apple Intelligence is becoming more deeply woven into the iPhone experience. As Apple pushes more system-level AI features into iOS, the company appears to be raising the baseline hardware needed on its standard and more affordable models.
A modest RAM increase with a bigger practical impact
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s lower-end iPhone models for 1H27 will use the A20 and shift to 9GB DRAM. He also said Apple will adopt a 1.5GB 6-die memory configuration, replacing the 8GB setup used on A19-powered models with a 2GB 4-die configuration.
On paper, the leap from 8GB to 9GB may look small. In practice, it could help the phone handle multitasking and AI-driven features more smoothly, especially as on-device processing becomes more important.
That direction fits Apple’s software roadmap. Kuo said iOS 27 will bring tighter system-level integration with Apple Intelligence, which makes additional memory more relevant for keeping performance stable under AI-related workloads.
At WWDC 2026, Apple introduced iOS 27 as an update that places more emphasis on Apple Intelligence integration. The update includes new AI features, including the next generation of Siri, with a stronger focus on on-device processing and memory management.
What the A20 and 9GB RAM could change
The A20 chip is another key part of the upgrade. While Apple has not detailed its performance here, the new chip marks a generational step beyond the current A19 generation and should help define the next standard iPhone platform.
The RAM increase is the more visible shift for everyday use. More memory can improve app switching, reduce slowdowns during heavy tasks, and give Apple Intelligence features more room to operate without stressing the system as much.
These changes suggest Apple is adjusting baseline specifications to match its software priorities. As AI becomes more central to iPhone usage, memory is turning into a core part of the experience rather than just a technical footnote.
| Model | Chip | RAM | Memory Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 / iPhone 18e | A20 | 9GB | 1.5GB 6-die |
| A19-powered models | A19 | 8GB | 2GB 4-die |
| iPhone 18 Pro / iPhone 18 Pro Max / Apple’s first foldable iPhone | A20 Pro | 12GB | 1.5GB 8-die |
The Pro gap is still likely to remain
Even with the upgrade, the standard models may not match the most advanced AI features available on Pro devices. Reports suggest some of Apple’s most demanding on-device AI capabilities still require 12GB of memory.
That could leave Apple with a clear feature split between regular iPhones and Pro models. The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e may become much better suited to Apple Intelligence, but they are not expected to receive every high-end capability.
Current reports indicate that many Apple Intelligence features already run on devices with 8GB of RAM, provided they support iOS 27. More demanding AI models, however, are said to need 12GB of memory.
Some Siri-related AI functions in the iOS 27 beta are also said to be limited for now to Pro models with 12GB of RAM, while standard models do not yet get access to the same features.
Apple’s broader strategy for 2026 and 2027
Kuo also said Apple’s premium models launching in the second half of 2026 will not see another RAM increase. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone are expected to keep 12GB of RAM and use the A20 Pro chip.
For those premium devices, Apple is reported to keep the 1.5GB 8-die configuration. That means the next memory push appears to be aimed at the lower end of the lineup rather than the Pro tier.
This points to a broader shift in Apple’s hardware strategy. Instead of only widening the gap at the top, the company seems to be strengthening the base models so they can keep up with the demands of the next iOS era.
As a result, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could become important markers for how Apple plans to make AI a standard part of the iPhone experience. Their upgrades may not erase the Pro advantage, but they do suggest the everyday iPhone is being prepared for a more AI-heavy future.