Apple is reportedly preparing to deliver a notable performance boost to its standard iPhone models.
According to recent reports, the upcoming iPhone 18 may feature 12GB of unified memory — aligning it with the iPhone 17 Pro lineup and representing a substantial upgrade over the 8GB found in its predecessor.
When Apple launched the iPhone 17 Pro series, it introduced 12GB of unified memory alongside the A19 Pro chip, marking a 50% increase in RAM compared to earlier models. However, the standard iPhone 17, equipped with the A19 chip, was limited to 8GB.
That limitation may soon be lifted. Reports indicate that Apple has instructed its suppliers to scale up production of LPDDR5X DRAM chips — the same memory type featured in the Pro models — suggesting that the base iPhone 18 could adopt 12GB of RAM.
Apple’s Supply Chain Expansion
To meet projected demand, Apple has reportedly reached out to Samsung for additional LPDDR5X modules while also engaging Micron and SK Hynix in supply discussions. Interestingly, LPDDR5X memory comes only in 12GB and 16GB capacities, making the upgrade for the standard iPhone 18 nearly certain.
This move follows Apple’s established strategy of debuting advanced hardware in Pro models before extending it to the base lineup after a short cycle.
Shift in Launch Timeline
The iPhone 18 series may also break from Apple’s traditional September release pattern. Multiple reports suggest that Apple plans to introduce a staggered rollout for its upcoming devices.
Under this approach, the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max, and iPhone Fold are expected to arrive in fall 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e could make their debut the following spring.
Preparing for AI-Powered Performance
Although users may not immediately experience drastic performance improvements from the transition to 12GB of memory, analysts suggest the enhancement is part of Apple’s broader plan to strengthen on-device AI processing.
As Apple Intelligence and integrated local AI functionalities become increasingly central to the iOS ecosystem, future iPhones with 12GB of RAM could be optimized to manage more advanced machine learning models and exclusive AI-driven features that lower-memory devices may not support.
