Apple may finally be leveling the playing field for its next-generation iPhones. According to a report from South Korean outlet The Bell (via MacRumors), all four models of the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup are expected to feature the same amount of RAM — 12GB — marking the first time in years that Apple will standardize memory across its flagship range.
Currently, the iPhone 17 is the lone model in the lineup running on 8GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Air all ship with 12GB. The new report suggests Apple has asked its RAM supplier, Samsung, to increase module production by around 50% for the 2026 manufacturing cycle, hinting that more memory will soon be the baseline.
“A bump of an extra 50% is a hefty RAM increase for the iPhone 18, but it makes sense that Apple wants to upgrade this feature,”
the report notes.
This shift is widely seen as part of Apple’s continued push into artificial intelligence. The company’s Apple Intelligence suite, launched earlier this year, requires significant processing and memory resources. Equalizing RAM across all models could make the technology more accessible and consistent for users across price points.
Table of Contents
Catching up to Android on memory
Despite Apple’s reputation for optimization, iPhones have traditionally trailed Android devices in terms of raw memory capacity. The Samsung Galaxy S25, for instance, already comes equipped with 12GB of RAM. However, Apple’s A-series chips and iOS efficiency have helped bridge the performance gap.
With Apple expected to introduce enhanced AI-driven features in 2026, additional RAM will likely improve multitasking, on-device intelligence, and machine learning performance.
A look back at RAM evolution
Apple’s base models have seen gradual memory upgrades over the years:
- iPhone 15 (2023): 6GB RAM
- iPhone 16 (2024): 8GB RAM
- iPhone 17 (2025): 8GB RAM for base, 12GB for Pro and Air models
The jump to 12GB across all iPhone 18 models would mark a 50% boost in memory for the entry-level device — a move that could reshape the product lineup’s internal hierarchy.
The iPhone Air, introduced this year, blurred the line between the standard and Pro tiers by adopting the same A19 Pro chip as the Pro models. If RAM is now uniform too, Apple will have to differentiate models through design, materials, display technology, and camera capabilities.
What else to expect from the iPhone 18
Leaks about the iPhone 18 remain scarce, but early reports hint at full 5G satellite connectivity, a major camera upgrade for the Pro and Pro Max, and potentially deeper Apple Intelligence integration throughout iOS.
If these rumors hold true, the 2026 lineup could mark a turning point — not just in specs, but in how Apple aligns its devices for an AI-first mobile future.
