Apple is reportedly preparing to equip all models in its upcoming iPhone 18 lineup with 12GB of RAM, marking a significant step toward achieving hardware parity across its flagship and standard devices.
Next iPhone 18 may feature 12GB of RAM
Currently, the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature 12GB of memory, while the standard iPhone 17 continues to ship with 8GB of RAM. This gap may soon close, as Apple has reportedly asked Samsung – its primary memory supplier – to ramp up production of LPDDR5X RAM chips, which are available only in 12GB and 16GB configurations.
According to industry reports, Apple’s decision is driven by the growing computational demands of on-device artificial intelligence (AI) features, a major focus in recent iPhone releases. The company is also said to be in discussions with SK Hynix and Micron to secure additional mobile DRAM supply for the next generation of devices.
If the reports hold true, the iPhone 18 lineup – including the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone – will launch in fall 2026, with the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e expected to follow in early 2027.
More Memory, More Power; But at What Cost?
While this move would ensure smoother multitasking and stronger AI performance, it could also mean higher production and retail costs. For power users and creators, 12GB RAM across all models is a win – but for average consumers, it might translate to pricier iPhones. Apple’s pursuit of performance uniformity may blur the line between standard and Pro models, raising the question: is every user ready – or willing – to pay for premium power
