iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e to Feature 9GB RAM, A20 Chip in 2027
▼ Summary
– The iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, launching in spring 2027, will feature 9GB of DRAM, up from 8GB in the current models.
– The A20 chip in these lower-end models will use 1.5GB x 6 dies for 9GB RAM, differing from the 2GB x 4 dies in the iPhone 17.
– The iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone, coming in fall 2027, are expected to have 12GB RAM.
– The RAM increase in the iPhone 18 models is intended to support AI workloads and upcoming Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27.
– Apple will likely raise prices on the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, following recent price hikes on Mac and iPad lines.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, expected to launch in spring 2027, will feature 9GB of DRAM, marking an increase from the 8GB found in current models.
Kuo explains that the A20 chip intended for these devices will utilize a configuration of 1.5GB x 6 dies, totaling 9GB of RAM. This is a shift from the 2GB x 4 die setup used in the current lower-end iPhone 17 models. When Kuo references “lower-end iPhones,” he is likely pointing to the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, both rumored for release around March or April of 2027. Apple is also planning to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone later in the fall, and those premium models are expected to come equipped with 12GB RAM (1.5GB x 8 dies), matching the current iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
The decision to boost RAM in the standard iPhone 18 models is driven by AI workloads and the need to fully support all Apple Intelligence features arriving with iOS 27. As Apple continues to push on-device processing, additional memory becomes critical for seamless performance.
On the pricing front, Apple recently raised costs across its Mac and iPad lines, but the iPhone 17 series has so far avoided any price adjustments. However, analysts expect Apple to implement price hikes when the iPhone 18 Pro models debut. Given that Apple increased prices even on the low-end iPad and the MacBook Neo, it seems likely the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will not escape a similar increase.
(Source: MacRumors)
