3GB of RAM Again Rumored for Next iPhone, Likely 5.5-Inch Model Only

[doelcm82]

Since when did having a better camera require an extra gigabyte of RAM? That's a ridiculous excuse for having more RAM.

Having more RAM is great for keeping multiple apps open so they don't have to reload each time you switch back to them. I'd love to have 3GB on a smaller iPhone than the plus.

Since the raw data from two separate cameras has to be processed in near-real-time to produce the final image. None of your previous experience of "better cameras" on iPhones measures up to this task.

We know that Apple doesn't frivolously add extra RAM to its devices, so my guess (assuming this rumor was true) would be that two GB was not enough. It may not need the whole extra GB, but a smaller increase, like 2.5 GB, might be more expensive than 3 GB.

 

[enriquesh96]

i really doubt it but who knows... more ram is always welcomed.
i am definitely getting the plus

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

If there is a difference in the amount of RAM, the reason will not be marketing. Apple never reveals RAM amounts. The only people who know there's a difference will be nerds who visit MacRumors.

That makes sense when I think about it, yep they don't generally advertise rams.
Should be interesting to find out after the release on why the sudden increase in Ram, they increased it just last year right?

 

[44267547]

But yet their 'Pro' 9.7 iPad has 2 GB of ram. That's a joke.

 

[rp2011]

It would be cool if the Apple Pencil works with the plus.

 

[Ludatyk]

It's just a shame such fragmentation has started to just widen with the iPhones.
I personally am much of a fan of 4.7" than the 5.5" models, shame I'd be missing out on features even when money isn't an issue.

What fragmentation?

It's not as serious as it is in the Android community and this rumored 3GB hasn't been announced just yet. I've been a fan of the 5.5" models, I was thinking of going down to the 4.7" model when the new one is announced. But that rumored dual camera is gonna be a very appealing.

 

[kasakka]

Apple will always be a bunch of bean counters. Even $300-400 Android phones come with 3-4 GB RAM and 32-64 GB SSDs nowadays yet Apple keeps offering the bare minimum for as long as they can. I don't see any reason why I'd consider iPhone for my next one if it doesn't have at least 3 GB of RAM.

 

[dominiongamma]

But yet their 'Pro' 9.7 iPad has 2 GB of ram. That's a joke.

Agree! I returned my iPad 9.7 it was a bad experience with low ram

 

[PalmiNio]

It's just a shame such fragmentation has started to just widen with the iPhones.
I personally am much of a fan of 4.7" than the 5.5" models, shame I'd be missing out on features even when money isn't an issue.

Well when grabbimg large market shares, more versions are needed.

Look at the iPod, more models was added over the lifespan to increase marketshare.

Since the smartphone market has halted in growth Apple needs to look at new segments to maintain the volumes. The S version was a clear respons on the high demands of large screens phones in Asia.

So a Pro version makes sens since they may have to decrease price on the standard model (as rumored) to maintain overall margin.

Also a dual-sim version would be needed to access new market but i think that is a least one year away.

 

[Tech198]

It probably won't need it but then again, that dual-camera might take up a lot of RAM. Makes sense to add it to the larger model only.

U'll have 4 Gig eventually (dunno what for) but i'd like to see app/system memory etc/background apps that use most of a 4gig phone..... At one stage we all though there is no app that even needs more than a gig or 2.

I suppose 3 Gig gives anyone a valid reason to keep 10 apps running and open in the background, like with people leaving 50 tabs open in Firefox for the same reason on a smart phone if not just for apps.

 

[Zirel]

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has twice claimed the next 5.5-inch iPhone, tentatively referred to as the iPhone 7 Plus, will carry 3GB of RAM for improved performance, and now DigiTimes says the same in a new report.

He also claimed that the iPhone 6 5.5" was going to have sapphire display and the normal model wouldn't. And that the 5.5" wouldn't be available until December 2014 / January 2015.

We all know that this was true:

April 2014: https://www.macrumors.com/2014/04/09/apple-2014-product-roadmap/

 

[44267547]

It would be cool if the Apple Pencil works with the plus.

Truthfully, I would love a built in pen similar to the S-Pen. That would be a selling point for me.

 

[Munky]

2GB is plenty. For more demanding games use a real mac.

Ah yes because games are the only thing that uses RAM.

 

[decimortis]

Are you certain that the increase in the RAM is specifically for that exact purpose?
And not to just chime in the Pro moniker to gain extra $$$?
Okay then.

I think his reasoning is on point. Apple never mentions the RAM they put in their phones, so adding 3GB in the Plus just to give it a new name doesn't seem likely.

 

[Porco]

50% more RAM again in the larger iPhone only seems on the excessive side to me. I think 3GB for both iPhone 7 models would be more sensible, and would differentiate the 4.7inch iPhone 7 more from the iPhone SE (which I don't expect to be updated at the same time, if at all).

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

What fragmentation?

It's not as serious as it is in the Android community and this rumored 3GB hasn't been announced just yet. I've been a fan of the 5.5" models, I was thinking of going down to the 4.7" model when the new one is announced. But that rumored dual camera is gonna be a very appealing.

That's the thing, I don't want them to take the Android devices route.
On top of my head, OIS and now possibly dual camera and extra ram. (should help in longevity)

 

[thisisnotmyname]

You can never have too much RAM. Surprised it's not an even number.

I have 16GB in my 4Ghz i7 5k iMac, and I just hope it doesn't crawl to a halt in 8 years' time. Perhaps I should have got 32GB.

8 *YEARS'* time??? Have you heard of Moore's law?

 

[Tech198]

If Apple believes the increased memory *is* only for better photos, then i'd be laughing.

Gives us a little credit..

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

I think his reasoning is on point. Apple never mentions the RAM they put in their phones, so adding 3GB in the Plus just to give it a new name doesn't seem likely.

I concur, not to him but only after Cougarcat pointed it out to me.
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Well when grabbimg large market shares, more versions are needed.

Look at the iPod, more models was added over the lifespan to increase marketshare.

Since the smartphone market has halted in growth Apple needs to look at new segments to maintain the volumes. The S version was a clear respons on the high demands of large screens phones in Asia.

So a Pro version makes sens since they may have to decrease price on the standard model (as rumored) to maintain overall margin.

Also a dual-sim version would be needed to access new market but i think that is a least one year away.

This seems plausible, but wait they're going to reduce the prices of the 4.7" iPhone?
I thought the SE would be the low cost entry variant no?

 

[kazmac]

If more ram means the + size is even more expensive, no thanks.

 

[Zirel]

Will Safari still constantly reload? I'm on the 6 and it does, not sure if this was fixed in the 6s?

Haven't got a reload since iOS 9, specially after using Content Blockers... (iPhone 6)

 

[Tech198]

8 *YEARS'* time??? Have you heard of Moore's law?

but its actually the developers that actually can't keep up with Moore's law. You get some memory hungry "beast" out, then "woop" memory has increased yet again.

 

[BreadofWonder]

Will Safari still constantly reload? I'm on the 6 and it does, not sure if this was fixed in the 6s?

It was. The boost to two gigs in the 6s made all the difference.

 

[Fangio]

Ah yes because games are the only thing that uses RAM.

Name a few that need more please. I'm running a lot of stuff on my SE but no games, and again - 2GB is plenty.

 

[lewisd25]

I've owned every iPhone since the very first model, and this may be the first year where I skip having the newest phone. I've thought long and hard about it and I've looked back to previous years, and there simply isn't a need to upgrade every year like there was from 2007-2014. There is not a software demand for faster hardware like there was a few years ago, and we are now seeing gimmicky "features" in place of real revolutionary advancements. If Apple does move to a three year redesign cycle, then there is even less reason to constantly upgrade. I'll be focusing on upgrading to a new MacBook Pro instead once they come out this fall.