Base iPhone 18 Tipped to Get These Two Pro-Level Upgrades

[MacRumors]

The base iPhone 18 model that Apple is expected to release by March 2027 will be equipped with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

Pu's latest assessment, if accurate, would see the iPhone 18 gaining the same amount of memory as the iPhone 17 Pro models. Analyst Dan Nystedt claimed the same RAM upgrade for the iPhone 18 back in April.

That said, their predictions conflict with the most recent report on the subject from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said both the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e would have only 9GB of RAM. This would prevent the devices from supporting some Apple Intelligence features.

However, Pu agrees with Kuo that the lower-cost iPhone 18e – also coming in the spring – will come with 9GB of RAM, based on his own sources and supply chain information. Both models are expected to be powered by the A20 chip.

Interestingly, Pu additionally believes that the regular iPhone 18 will feature a narrower Dynamic Island. Most of the rumors about a smaller Dynamic Island have pertained to the iPhone 18 Pro models, but Chinese leaker Ice Universe has also claimed the smaller Dynamic Island will be adopted across the iPhone 18 lineup.

Article Link: Base iPhone 18 Tipped to Get These Two Pro-Level Upgrades

 

[Sanmi]

“Sure Jan”

 

[Sosab123]

Seems like 12GB is the new 16GB FOMO tier. With everything Apple sells, especially the iPads I am not gonna stress over having 6, 8, 9 or 12 GB of ram when its just a phone in the end all be all. I know everyone who I need to call number by heart, I'll BRING my own ram.

 

[iOSUser7]

Hahaha nice one! 🤣

With the current RAM crisis, Apple have no reason to upgrade the RAM on the base model, especially since it already support most Siri AI features.

For reference, Google just downgraded the amount of RAM on some of their newly announced Pixel phones so yeaaaah nope, not gonna happen.

 

[lenningj]

looking forward to this base 18 release next month!.. 🙏

 

[DanneP]

looking forward to this base 18 release next month!.. 🙏

It's not going to be released until early 2027.

 

[tonmischa]

Since Siri AI will need 12 GB of RAM to do everything "on-device", it makes sense that the base iPhone gets a RAM update too.

It would be embarrassing for Apple to introduce new iPhones in March 2027, none of which would be able to run the new Siri AI properly.

Apple is late to the AI game; everything depends on getting the feature out to as many people as possible.
My tip: 12 GB for Base and Air2, 9GB for 18e.

Base will be more expensive, but you can always get the 18e if you need cheap.

 

[klasma]

Maybe it’ll be 9GB for the base storage model and 12GB for the higher storage ones, like with the Pixel, and like with the iPad Pros.

 

[svish]

With increasing RAM prices, possible that it need not happen. Dynamic island size could be same as Pro models as there is no other additional cost involved.

 

[tonmischa]

.

 

[tomtad]

The regular iPhone remains the GOAT.

Also can we stop using this term 'base'. If anything the base iPhone is the 17e.

 

[kiranmk2]

Since Siri AI will need 12 GB of RAM to do everything "on-device", it makes sense that the base iPhone gets a RAM update too.

It would be embarrassing for Apple to introduce new iPhones in March 2027, none of which would be able to run the new Siri AI properly.

Apple is late to the AI game; everything depends on getting the feature out to as many people as possible.
My tip: 12 GB for Base and Air2, 9GB for 18e.

Base will be more expensive, but you can always get the 18e if you need cheap.

Who says the new Siri requires 12 GB RAM to work? The note from Apple says that a 12 GB iPhone or iPad is needed, but nowhere does it say that 12 GB is the minimum requirement. At present the thing we know is 8 GB = not enough and 12 GB = enough. I suspect that 9 GB gives enough headroom over the 8 GB models to enable the Siri voice customisation (otherwise, why bother adding more RAM to the base model in a RAM crisis?). Whilst AI is still ramping, I think the base and e models of iPhone are destined to be launched with full support for the current AI feature set, but will quickly start to lack features from the next iOS onwards, where as the Pro models will likely support new features further into the future.

 

[tonmischa]

Who says the new Siri requires 12 GB RAM to work?

I said it needs 12 GB to work "on-device". Which is one of new Siri's biggest selling points.

iPhone 17 Siri AI Features Missing: iOS 27's 12GB RAM Requirement Explained

The base iPhone 17 supports Apple Intelligence. Apple says so plainly. What sits in the footnotes is more consequential: iOS 27 introduces a higher tier of...

apple.gadgethacks.com

You might need a new Apple device this fall to get the best Siri AI

You may not be able to run certain models on-device, and you may need to upgrade your device if you want it all.

www.macworld.com

 

[one more]

Since Siri AI will need 12 GB of RAM to do everything "on-device", it makes sense that the base iPhone gets a RAM update too.

Not “everything”. You will be missing “Expressive Siri voices” and “More Advanced Dictation” with 8GB, the rest will still work.

 

[tonmischa]

Not “everything”. You will be missing “Expressive Siri voices” and “More Advanced Dictation” with 8GB, the rest will still work.

Isn't that what I said? Sorry, I'm not a native speaker.

You need 12 GB to load the newest SiriAI model that includes the voices and does everything "on-device". 8 GB will only be able to load a smaller model that is not as powerful and that has to rely on Cloud-Computing to do some of its tasks.

Since "on-device" and "expressive voices" are huge selling points (yes, they are), it would make sense to push the newest model into the hands of as many customers as possible. Especially because Apple needs to convince people that SiriAI is a worthy addition to the AI market.

 

[frou]

Especially because Apple needs to convince people that SiriAI is a worthy addition to the AI market.

Yeah that seems like the quandary. On one hand the Pro phones having exclusive AI features is logical as a way to incentivise some customers to spend more money, and on the other hand Apple wants to cement themselves as a serious AI player that everyone is impressed with and uses.