- Apple would increase RAM from 8 GB to 12 GB for the iPhone 17 range
- It has already been reported that only the pro and pro max would get the upgrade
- More RAM would level the competition with Samsung and Google
Just as Apple likes to upgrade its local chipsets each year for the iPhone, it also increased RAM. And to judge by a new report, it seems that the giant of technology based in Cupertino continues on this path and undoubtedly copies what Samsung and Google already offer.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 series will launch the power of IT in high speed thanks to 12 GB of RAM. It would be a solid increase compared to the 8 GB of RAM found in the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.
Why increase? Well, it is likely that not only follow the changes that are with iOS 19 – that the upgrade should be revealed in a few weeks at WWDC 2025 – but also to feed the aspects on Apple Intelligence’s devices.
It is not an easy task, and with the Siri infused at AI always on the horizon with a launch at a given time of the coming year, the iPhone will probably need a larger amount of RAM to manage the AI models directly on the device. Apple Intelligence currently deals with some on the device – whether an iPhone, iPad or Mac – as well as securely sending in the private cloud calculation method.
Beyond the implications of AI and the need for more RAM, this should provide even more support to the future chips in series A than Apple develops. And this should operate future iPhones with even more speed and fluidity.
This change in the quantity of RAM also represents Apple’s catching up with Samsung and Google. The Galaxy S25, S25 Plus and S25 Ultra all have a standard of 12 GB of RAM and are already capable of more advanced artificial intelligence characteristics. The Google Pixel 9 Standard 9 comes with 12 GB of RAM out of the box, while the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL include 16 GB of RAM.
The Ming-Chi Kuo report details that on the expected iPhone 17 models, the pro, the pro max and the Ultra-Thin Air will all have 12 GB of RAM now. Previously, the reports indicated that only the Pro Max – probably the most powerful in the group – would get the upgrade. The report also mentions that hope is to also give the iPhone 17 12 GB of RAM, but supply shortages are a concern.
Anyway, it is clear that Apple takes note of the competition of companies like Samsung and Google, and probably takes it into its roadmap the features of Apple Intelligence. While the list of features, both those already published and future, continues to grow, the iPhone must be able to support them all.
In addition, given the concentration of Apple on confidentiality throughout its device and its set of features, the objective will probably be to do a lot on the device, so an investment in more RAM has a lot of meaning.
And even if you don’t use AI’s features on the iPhone, it will probably be good news if you opt for the latest model.
