Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models are set to receive a RAM upgrade to 9GB, an increase from the 8GB found in their predecessors, the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. This enhancement aims to ensure smooth operation of Apple Intelligence features on these devices.
Despite this boost, two notable features introduced in iOS 27 will remain inaccessible on the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e. These features include the ability to customize Siri’s voice expressiveness and pace, as well as a significant improvement in speech-to-text dictation accuracy. The underlying reason is that the advanced on-device Apple Intelligence model powering these functionalities requires a minimum of 12GB of RAM.
In contrast, the higher-end models—iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra—will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, aligning with the specifications of the iPhone 17 Pro series. This configuration enables them to fully support the new iOS 27 features.
Apple is anticipated to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Ultra in September 2026. The iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air are expected to follow around March 2027.
Here is a breakdown of the confirmed and rumored RAM allocations for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 series:
- iPhone 17e: 8GB
- iPhone 17: 8GB
- iPhone 17 Pro: 12GB
- iPhone 17 Pro Max: 12GB
- iPhone 18e: 9GB
- iPhone 18: 9GB
- iPhone 18 Pro: 12GB
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: 12GB
- iPhone Ultra: 12GB
The second-generation iPhone Air is also expected to feature 12GB of RAM.
Currently, the tech industry is experiencing a supply shortage of RAM and NAND storage chips, leading to increased prices for over a dozen Apple products. While iPhones have so far avoided these price hikes, analysts predict that the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could see price increases ranging from $100 to $200 compared to their predecessors.
This development underscores the growing hardware demands of advanced AI features in smartphones. Consumers seeking the full suite of iOS 27 capabilities may need to consider higher-end models, as standard versions may lack the necessary hardware to support all new functionalities.
