According to industry insiders, Apple is preparing a significant hardware upgrade for the upcoming iPhone 18. The focus is on the RAM: the base model could have 12 GB RAM for the first time – an increase of 50 percent compared to the current iPhone 17. The aim is apparently to drive forward the expansion of Apple Intelligence and run complex AI processes entirely on the device in future.
- Rumors about 12 GB RAM in the base iPhone 18
- Use of fast LPDDR5X memory chips from Samsung, SK Hynix or Micron
- More power for local AI models and “Apple Intelligence”
- Presentation expected in fall 2026
Larger RAM as the basis for AI features
Since the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the company has been aiming to run AI-based functions such as summaries, writing aids, personalized responses and image analysis locally on the device. This strategy brings advantages in terms of data protection and response speed, but requires more memory – a bottleneck that is still noticeable with the 8 GB configuration of the iPhone 17.
According to reports from the Korean magazine The Bell, to which MacRumors refers, Apple has ordered significantly larger quantities of LPDDR5X RAM from memory manufacturers. As Samsung only offers the currently delivered chips in 12 GB and 16 GB configurations, an increase in memory for the iPhone 18 seems very likely. This means that even the standard model would offer the same amount of memory as the Pro series in future.
Such a move would make strategic sense: additional memory is crucial for the efficient processing of AI workloads – such as text creation, on-device speech analysis or contextual learning. Apple could thus ensure that all models fully support Apple Intelligence features without having to rely on cloud computing power.
Apple Intelligence drives hardware development forward
Apple has already laid the foundations for its AI platform with iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Future versions are likely to expand this focus. More powerful hardware is the key to enabling voice-based assistance systems, creative tools and machine learning in real time. The move to 12 GB RAM therefore indicates a long-term focus in which artificial intelligence plays a central role.
The iPhone 18 with 12 GB of RAM would also reduce bottlenecks in multitasking and app caching, which would be particularly beneficial for complex applications and camera processing. Should Apple also implement the A19 processor using a more efficient 2 nm design, the device could significantly increase its AI performance once again. Close coordination with the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) would also be likely here.
Insiders believe the rumors are plausible, as Apple has consistently moved towards on-device AI processing in recent product generations. At the same time, a uniform RAM standard across the entire iPhone series would simplify the development and optimization of new AI models.
Conclusion
With 12 GB of RAM, the iPhone 18 could take the clearest step to date towards an all-round AI-capable smartphone. If the leak is confirmed, Apple would lay the foundation for running Apple Intelligence permanently and in real time directly on the device – securely, quickly and without cloud dependency. As usual, the iPhone 18 is expected to be unveiled in fall 2026.
