iPhone 17 Air Now Rumored to Feature 12GB of RAM Like the Pro Models

[MacRumors]

The rumored ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air" model will be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to the latest word from Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a blog post today, the well-known Apple supply chain analyst said that the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all be equipped with 12GB of RAM. He previously only expected the iPhone 17 Pro Max to have 12GB of RAM, so this is good news for customers who will be purchasing the other models.

Kuo said even the base-model iPhone 17 might be equipped with 12GB of RAM, but only if supply chain shortages can be overcome. He said that Apple will make a final decision on the amount of RAM it will offer in this device by May.

All of the models in the iPhone 16 lineup are equipped with 8GB of RAM, so the jump to 12GB would be a significant increase. Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance for Apple Intelligence and multitasking.

Even if the base-model iPhone 17 sticks with 8GB of RAM, Kuo said he expects all models in the iPhone 18 lineup to have 12GB of RAM.

Kuo said the increased RAM will primarily benefit Apple suppliers Micron and SK Hynix.

Apple should announce the iPhone 17 series in September.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Air Now Rumored to Feature 12GB of RAM Like the Pro Models

 

[UliBaer]

16 GB should be standard already...

 

[Donkey Man]

What’s the point of being so thin when it has that ridiculous camera protuberance on top?

 

[citysnaps]

What’s the point of being so thin when it has that ridiculous camera protuberance on top?

Easier to hold. Easily slips into (and out of) pockets of shirts I like to wear. The bump is mice nuts - makes no difference to me.

If that makes others upset, simply don't purchase it. Easy.

 

[Hajj.david]

What’s the point of being so thin when it has that ridiculous camera protuberance on top?

While I agree and hate the camera tumor, this is the perfect phone for me. I hate the weight and the bulk of the current iphone.

 

[joshwithachance]

This doesn't make any sense... "if supply chain shortages can be overcome". The phone releases in less than 5 months; Apple isn't making any more tweaks to its feature set or manufacturing process at this point.

 

[Howard2k]

The realities of Apple Intelligence.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

If that ends up happening
What will the Pro Max have then to differentiate from the non Pros?

 

[Gengar]

Would've been an interesting device, but as a T-Mobile customer, the Apple C1 is crippling since it only has 3X downlink CA and T-Mobile has at least 4 channels available in most places (two n41 channels, one n25 and one n71), which is why speeds are lower on the iPhone 16e compared to the 16 and 16 Pro/Max on average.

 

[tipoo]

More indication to me that some of the more advanced AI features in iOS19 or 20 will require more than 8GB.

I wonder if the "first iphone designed for AI" marketing will age poorly if actual-LLM-Siri needs 12 or something.

 

[Paddle1]

Sounds a bit like another slap in the face to iPhone 16 buyers. They will get a limited version of Apple Intelligence features (when they finally release) due to lack of RAM.

 

[sw1tcher]

If that ends up happening
What will the Pro Max have then to differentiate from the non Pros?

The same things that are differentiating the iPhone 16 Pro Max from the non-Pro iPhone 16's

You do realize that the entire iPhone 16 line-up, including the 16e, have 8GB memory, right?

 

[tomtad]

More indication to me that some of the more advanced AI features in iOS19 or 20 will require more than 8GB.

I wonder if the "first iphone designed for AI" marketing will age poorly if actual-LLM-Siri needs 12 or something.

It's almost guaranteed there will be new features that require greater power in a few generations

 

[VisceralRealist]

If that ends up happening
What will the Pro Max have then to differentiate from the non Pros?

The extra cameras, I imagine, would be the main difference.

But as someone who uses the main camera 95% of the time, I don't think I would miss the other two much. The Air is seeming more and more like something worth waiting for (for those of us who want a thinner, lighter phone without sacrificing screen size).

 

[Populus]

Woah, if the A19 comes with 12GB of RAM on all devices, l I’ll likely get the iPhone 17e next year.

Hopefully this jump in RAM will move to the M series of chips as well, with the M5 having better RAM configuration such as 16/32/48GB.

 

[MayaUser]

16 GB should be standard already...

for what? you can have even 32 gb ram, but you cannot do much in that thin chassis because of over heating

 

[citysnaps]

Sounds a bit like another slap in the face to iPhone 16 buyers. They will get a limited version of Apple Intelligence features (when they finally release) due to lack of RAM.

A slap in the face?

No worries mate... Most everyone has said they'll immediately turn Apple Intelligence off (or uninstall it). Why worry about something someone insists they'll never want to use?

 

[novagamer]

Good. Stereo speakers and I'm sold, the rumor that they are going back to a single speaker sounds insane but if it's true it sadly rules it out for me. I imagine this was going to be the high end before they decided to move forward with the folding design so 12GB makes sense.

 

[tipoo]

It's almost guaranteed there will be new features that require greater power in a few generations

While yes, that's obviously true, missing the entire year they promised personal context Siri for the 16 and then needing something better to deliver actual-LLM-Siri while advertising the 16 for AI the entire year would be a bad look

 

[ProbablyDylan]

12GB of RAM and safari will still unload all your tabs. What's the point of all this memory if nothing is allowed to stay in it?

 

[surferfb]

If the iPhone Air is indeed releasing in five months, Apple is absolutely not deciding how much RAM the device has in May.

 

[kevine]

Good. Stereo speakers and I'm sold, the rumor that they are going back to a single speaker sounds insane but if it's true it sadly rules it out for me. I imagine this was going to be the high end before they decided to move forward with the folding design so 12GB makes sense.

Same goes for my wife. She desperately wants something thinner and lighter, but stereo speakers (and overall sound volume) are a must have. The 12GB is really just a cost issue (on a premium device), but having good sound does require space, so I'm not too confident about the latter.

 

[mikethebigo]

It’s crazy to me that we as a community have just let go of the fact that the base M4 iPad Pro has 2x6GB RAM modules (12GB total) but only 8GB enabled.

 

[ksec]

So basically swiping one lens for extra 4GB memory and perhaps silicon carbon battery.

 

[Populus]

It’s crazy to me that we as a community have just let go of the fact that the base M4 iPad Pro has 2x6GB RAM modules (12GB total) but only 8GB enabled.

Completely agreed. If true, it’s quite insulting.

Oh, I see where are you going to… you mean that maybe some iPhone 17 models, despite physically having 12GB of RAM, may come with just 8GB enabled, right?