Apple's next-generation iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e may arrive with a modest RAM upgrade. However, this time, they could still miss some of the biggest artificial intelligence features coming to iOS 27.
New reports suggest that the standard models will ship with 9GB of RAM and the most advanced AI experiences might be reserved for higher-end devices with 12GB of memory. The move highlights Apple's growing focus on on-device AI. Maintaining a clear distinction between its mainstream and premium smartphones.
In a social media post, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said, “The lower-end iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will be equipped with 9GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. The 1GB increase in RAM will ensure that Apple Intelligence features continue to run smoothly on both devices.”
He also added that the higher-end iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable ‘iPhone Ultra' will each have the same 12GB of RAM as the iPhone 17 Pro models. The common iPhone 18 models might not have two major features offered by the iOS 27 operating system. These include an enhanced Siri voice assistant with voice modulation and an AI dictation app for text formatting.
The iPhone 18 Pro range is expected to feature 12 GB of RAM, allowing users to access the entire Apple Intelligence software suite. This time, Apple seems to be relying on hardware distinction. The aim is to maintain the premium pricing for their Pro range without raising production costs.
Users are still expected to receive several AI-powered tools, including Writing Tools, Visual Intelligence, app integrations, and contextual Siri improvements. Some demanding AI tasks could also rely on Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure instead of local processing.
Looking ahead, Apple is expected to follow a renewed launch schedule. The iPhone 18 Pro versions are likely to come by the end of 2026. Regular iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models might appear at the beginning of 2027. Apple has yet to make any confirmation.
Also Read: Apple Plans Major 2026 Hardware Refresh with Foldable iPhone and New Devices