Overview
- TF International analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo reported Friday that Apple’s lower‑end iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are likely to use the A20 chip with 9GB of DRAM built as six 1.5GB memory dies, while iPhone 18 Pro models and the foldable variant will retain 12GB using eight 1.5GB dies.
- That 9GB figure is a one‑gigabyte increase over current lower‑end models but leaves open whether those phones will run iOS 27’s most demanding on‑device Apple Intelligence features, which Apple has so far tied to devices with 12GB of RAM.
- Multiple reports now describe a staggered launch schedule with Pro models and the rumored foldable expected at Apple’s September event and the standard iPhone 18 and 18e pushed to spring 2027, a timing choice tied to parts supply and cost management in the chain.
- Industry coverage notes that memory and advanced 2nm chip production add unit costs, Apple recently raised Mac and iPad prices, and analysts including IDC predict the iPhone 18 Pro could carry a roughly $100–$200 premium versus the prior Pro generation with steeper retail effects in markets such as India.
- What matters next is official confirmation from Apple on RAM, iOS 27 feature cutoffs and final pricing at the September event, and whether the die‑level memory move Kuo described becomes the company’s way to balance on‑device AI needs against rising component prices.