Apple is reportedly planning to equip the base model of its upcoming iPhone 18 with 12GB of RAM, a significant 50% increase over the 8GB found in the current iPhone 17. This enhancement is expected to debut in 2026 and is believed to be influenced by manufacturing constraints.
The iPhone 17, released in 2025, stands out among its contemporaries for having only 8GB of memory, while the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models boast 12GB. According to a report from Korean publication The Bell, this disparity is set to change with the iPhone 18. The standard model is anticipated to ship with the larger 12GB capacity, aligning it with its higher-end counterparts.
Apple has reportedly requested Samsung to increase its supply of LPDDR5X memory chips for the next iPhone generation. Notably, Samsung’s high-speed LPDDR5X memory is produced only in 12GB and 16GB capacities. Given Samsung’s prominent role in Apple’s supply chain, a shift to 12GB for the base iPhone appears plausible. However, this move may be driven more by manufacturing limitations than by a strategic decision to enhance performance.
In addition to Samsung, Apple is in discussions with other memory suppliers, including SK Hynix and Micron, to secure more memory chips. This strategy suggests that Apple might source lower-capacity but similar-speed memory chips from these suppliers for the iPhone, reserving Samsung’s higher-capacity supply for the Pro and Air models.
Beyond the increase in memory capacity, the iPhone 18 is expected to feature 6-channel LPDDR5X memory, significantly boosting memory bandwidth and overall performance. This advancement is particularly relevant as Apple continues to enhance its devices’ capabilities to support more demanding applications and multitasking needs.
The decision to standardize 12GB of RAM across all iPhone 18 models reflects Apple’s commitment to delivering a consistent and high-quality user experience. By addressing the memory disparity present in the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple aims to ensure that even the base model of the iPhone 18 can handle intensive tasks and applications with ease.
This move also aligns with broader industry trends, where increased memory capacities are becoming standard to accommodate the growing demands of modern applications, including augmented reality (AR), machine learning, and advanced gaming experiences.
In summary, the anticipated upgrade to 12GB of RAM in the base model of the iPhone 18 signifies a substantial enhancement in Apple’s smartphone lineup. While manufacturing constraints may have influenced this decision, the result is a more powerful and capable device that meets the evolving needs of users.
