iPhone 17 Base Model Now Said to Feature A18 Chip and 8GB of RAM

[MacRumors]

The latest rumored specs for the iPhone 17 base model are underwhelming.

In a research note with equity research firm GF Securities this month, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said that the lowest-end iPhone 17 model will be equipped with the same A18 chip that is used in the iPhone 16 base model. The chip will continue to be manufactured with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, known as N3E, he said.

The ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air is expected to have an A19 chip, while the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to have an A19 Pro chip. Both of those chips are expected to be manufactured with TSMC's third-generation 3nm process, known as N3P.

Pu also expects the iPhone 17 to be equipped with 8GB of RAM, matching the iPhone 16.

Last month, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 17 Air and both iPhone 17 Pro models will all be equipped with an increased 12GB of RAM. He said that Apple was still deciding on 8GB or 12GB of RAM for the iPhone 17 base model at that time, and if Pu's information is accurate, the company has settled on 8GB for the device.

Overall, the base iPhone 17 is shaping up to be a minor upgrade over the equivalent iPhone 16, with both devices expected to have the same overall design. Key new features that are rumored for the iPhone 17 include a 120Hz display and a 24-megapixel front camera, compared to 60Hz and a 12-megapixel front camera on the iPhone 16.

The base iPhone 17 will also feature a slightly larger 6.3-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch iPhone 16, according to display industry expert Ross Young.

Apple is expected to unveil the entire iPhone 17 series in September.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Base Model Now Said to Feature A18 Chip and 8GB of RAM

 

[MacUserFella]

So it’s just gonna be an iPhone 16 with an ever so slightly bigger screen and 120hz?

 

[HouseLannister]

If it has ProMotion and is lighter than a Pro, then a lot of people will still consider it regardless of what chip is under the hood.

 

[winxmac]

So just like iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 (which reused the SoC of iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro), the 2025 base model iPhone will reuse the SoC of the 2024 base model iPhone.

 

[klasma]

The iPhone will get the larger 6.3” screen though, in addition to the 120 Hz. But otherwise this meshes well with the basic design remaining unchanged, compared to the three other models getting the full-width camera bump, the Air despite only featuring a single camera.

 

[AppleFan91]

Idk, maybe I’m way off but it’s starting to feel like they will be redoing the iPhone lineup now that each one appears to be fragmented more than ever.

iPhone (Base)
iPhone Air (Plus)
iPhone Pro (Pro)
iPhone Ultra (Pro Max)

With the apparent introduction of the air, the leaks showing the Pro Max (Ultra?) to be thicker (Ultra watch has way more battery life) and the base iPhone getting under-spec’d compared to the rest - maybe they are giving this a more iPad lineup? They are renaming the OS’s, so maybe they’ll do iPhone too?

 

[MacAndMic]

If it has ProMotion and is lighter than a Pro, then a lot of people will still consider it regardless of what chip is under the hood.

Agreed! It’s enough to make me upgrade from my 14 pro. I would have gone to the 16 had it had ProMotion. Part of me still thinks Apple will cripple the 120hz somehow. I know for me, it would be the last straw waiting for Apple. Some of us don’t need pro cameras or the pro price tag.

 

[Adelphos33]

All of the carriers are running pretty generous promotions on the 16 Pro models right now. If you are considering the 17 in the fall, the 16 Pro right now is almost certainly a better buy today

 

[klasma]

Part of me still thinks Apple will cripple the 120hz somehow.

It might be a fixed choice between 120 and 60 Hz (low-power mode), compared to the more variable refresh rate of ProMotion, and may not feature AOD.

 

[nfl46]

Finalllllly at 120! Jeezzzz. I’m okay with those specs as the base model iPhone. We know it will run well.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

That's disappointing. Another year, another update that has a single useful feature.

 

[Andres Cantu]

So another iPhone 14 scenario, except at least it gets a major screen upgrade, where the 14 kept the same screen as the 13.

I thought it was strange that Apple would give both a screen upgrade and a chip upgrade for the base model. This makes more sense. Can't make the base model too good or no one would buy the more expensive models.

 

[Mactech20]

120hz is a big deal

 

[timber]

Having last year chip it's not that bad. Even older. They're that good.
But there should be something worthwhile besides flipping the version number.

 

[Khojmdn]

hello, pixel 9a

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Sometimes, when I pick up my iPhone, I accidentally "do something" to the interface. It can be anything from activating the camera to turning the volume all the way to making all the icons jiggle.

Can Apple use AI to teach the phone how to figure out when I am just moving it around and not actually trying to interact with the interface? That would be a nice feature to add.

 

[itti]

If the iPhone 17 does not sell well, Apple should not be surprised.

 

[NMBob]

Shouldn't that be an A25 or A26 chip?

 

[russell_314]

Unacceptable…. In 2025 the iPhone should have 64 GB of RAM!

 

[NMBob]

Sometimes, when I pick up my iPhone, I accidentally "do something" to the interface. It can be anything from activating the camera to turning the volume all the way to making all the icons jiggle.

Can Apple use AI to teach the phone how to figure out when I am just moving it around and not actually trying to interact with the interface? That would be a nice feature to add.

Just wait until all of the buttons are gone. When you cough it will send an email.

 

[russell_314]

Just wait until all of the buttons are gone. When you cough it will send an email.

What does it do when you fart? 😂

 

[darngooddesign]

That's disappointing. Another year, another update that has a single useful feature.

Thats why it's smart to upgrade every two or three years.

 

[darngooddesign]

What does it do when you fart? 😂

 

[TechRunner]

If they come out with a pretty dark green color all will be forgiven.

 

[knownikko]

We hit peak iPhone several generations ago. Nobody buying the base iPhone cares what chip or how much RAM is in it because nobody with a base iPhone has thought "man I wish this phone was faster" in years. It just doesn't matter.