iPhone SE 4 Likely to Feature 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence

[one more]

Honest question, why phones needs 8GB RAM? I have 4GB iphone everything works well. I have 8GB macbook, things are pretty snappy. Unless you like do 4K video editing...

It is exactly the same phenomenon as we have had since the beginning of a computer era.

The original iPhone, released in 2007, had 128 MB of RAM. But then it was not running iOS 18 either, nor was it using any sort of AI. Of course, you can still browse the internet with this original iPhone, yet your experience of it will be much more limited.

As the user expectations grow, the RAM, etc. all need to follow. The same principle applies to desktop operating systems.

 

[scorpio vega]

Again, with AI-based features are being actively promoted by all major smartphone makers (Google, Samsung, etc.) and Apple spending a large part of their WWDC2024 upselling AI, it will not work well. I get it that Apple still ship iPhones with 60Hz screens in 2024, but if they want to advance in their AI efforts, they better use it.

And again the Se has never been a flagship phone. It’s always been the budget newest iPhone for those who want newer features but not the older models.

It’s great that the AI features are coming but even if they were not the iPhone SE in all its current 3 generations has never been marketed as anything other than the budget iPhone.

There’s a stark difference in releasing an Se 4 with NO AI and the entire 16 line with no Ai. Because the 16 is the flagship and competing with lagdroid phones.

Personally I wished the SE 4 wasn’t going to have the apple intelligence because I think this AI stuff is bs and it’s just lame marketing but it is what it is. Hopefully the fad along with foldables will die soon

 

[ric22]

It is exactly the same phenomenon as we have had since the beginning of a computer era.

The original iPhone, released in 2007, had 128 MB of RAM. But then it was not running iOS 18 either, nor was it using any sort of AI. Of course, you can still browse the internet with this original iPhone, yet your experience of it will be much more limited.

As the user expectations grow, the RAM, etc. all need to follow. The same principle applies to desktop operating systems.

I always felt like Apple low balled us on RAM badly all the way up to and including the iPhone 6. Planned obselescence. The RAM was the limiting factor that meant subsequent OS upgrades quickly bogged down and ran like total crap.

 

[ric22]

weird that SE will have same amount of ram as the 16 pros.

The newest wave of planned obsolescence. We all know that 8GB is pitiful for AI tasks, specifically involving LLMs, so when the 19 Pro comes out in 3 years with 16 or 18GB they can limit all new software features only to that model...

For a few dollars they could future proof next month's Pro devices for years to come, but why do that when it will inhibit future sales?? 🙁

 

[StuBeck]

To be fair, the Pro line of Macs start at 16GB. It's the Air line of Macs that start at 8GB. Both of these should be doubled as base specs though.

The base Google Pixel 9 phone is coming out with 16GB of RAM ffs.

They do not. The MBP starts at 8 GB for the $1600 and $1800 models. The $2000 models come with 16 GB of RAM. Buy MacBook Pro - Apple

 

[Hank001]

It may uses more but by how much more? 20mAh more? Or 900mAh more? Last time I heard the screen uses up a large portion of the power, while very few actually complain their more RAM phone runs out Battery quicker than lower RAM phones.

This is just what Apple tells me. Could be 'marketing material' for not giving people more RAM. IDK.

 

[ric22]

This is just what Apple tells me. Could be 'marketing material' for not giving people more RAM. IDK.

Running out of RAM and swapping apparently uses more battery than having 4x or 8x more RAM... 😅

 

[Zacharybinx34]

Smaller screen option or no deal

 

[Frantisekj]

They have to screw up this product somehow, otherwise it will cannibalize other iPhone models.
Otherwise it will probably be the very first iPhone I buy.

Of course they have to. And they can not sell SE 4 for 399 because of HW cost I think so adding RAM and AI into package makes it more "interesting" for 499. We can expect 128 GM storage depending whether Apple has some supplies or it is cost effective solution for them.
I have SE 2020 and it has much worse brightness, wifi reception and camera is also a bit weaker in some scenarios then original SE. I got is as cheapest option that supports on device voice recognition app. My next phone will probably be some iPhone mini not SE. But I will keep original SE till it dies.

 

[MacBH928]

Because everything is not done off-device. A major point of Apple Intelligence is that much of it is done on-device.

does this mean faster draining batteries?

 

[ric22]

does this mean faster draining batteries?

Yep 👍🏼

 

[MacBH928]

Day to day use between a 4GB and 8GB phone is easy for me to differentiate. It's very clear the 8GB phone is snappier.

It is exactly the same phenomenon as we have had since the beginning of a computer era.

The original iPhone, released in 2007, had 128 MB of RAM. But then it was not running iOS 18 either, nor was it using any sort of AI. Of course, you can still browse the internet with this original iPhone, yet your experience of it will be much more limited.

As the user expectations grow, the RAM, etc. all need to follow. The same principle applies to desktop operating systems.

I don't know man, I had 2008 macbook that came with 2GB that did imovie video editing, MS Office, browse the internet, Adobe Photoshop, burn DVDs, play DOOM 3 and run Windows 7, all the good stuff. Heck even my 2002 iMac I upgraded to 768MB RAM.

I don't know what those developers are doing behind the scenes with all the extra RAM unless its for high texture 3D models/games or 4k videos. Most people just look at images on social media, send texts, and play simple games or videos. iOS apps AFAIK do not do multitasking as the apps in the background go into "save state" IIRC.

 

[Shirasaki]

I don't know man, I had 2008 macbook that came with 2GB that did imovie video editing, MS Office, browse the internet, Adobe Photoshop, burn DVDs, play DOOM 3 and run Windows 7, all the good stuff. Heck even my 2002 iMac I upgraded to 768MB RAM.

I don't know what those developers are doing behind the scenes with all the extra RAM unless its for high texture 3D models/games or 4k videos. Most people just look at images on social media, send texts, and play simple games or videos. iOS apps AFAIK do not do multitasking as the apps in the background go into "save state" IIRC.

You know, sometimes you just have to wonder if the whole planned obsolescence thing is not done “just by Apple”, but By the entire tech industry sometimes to just entice new purchases. A collective effort should I say. That’s part why I say even if user demand remains the same, hardware limitation will hit everyone in varying degrees eventually regardless.

 

[AndiG]

Honest question, why phones needs 8GB RAM? I have 4GB iphone everything works well. I have 8GB macbook, things are pretty snappy. Unless you like do 4K video editing...

in 16bit fp If you want a local ai, you‘re thinking in wrong dimensions. For local LLM like e.g. Llama3:70b only the weights need 140GB - and this isn‘t the biggest model at all.

Local AI on a smartphone can only handle very limited tasks. 16GB for a $1500 AI phone is not too much.

 

[iMac The Knife]

My friend will be bummed that there will no longer be a home button on the SE moving forward.

 

[MacBH928]

in 16bit fp If you want a local ai, you‘re thinking in wrong dimensions. For local LLM like e.g. Llama3:70b only the weights need 140GB - and this isn‘t the biggest model at all.

Local AI on a smartphone can only handle very limited tasks. 16GB for a $1500 AI phone is not too much.

I understand for AI, but before AI people claiming they need more ram and macbook should be minimum 16GB and I just don't know what is that used for. The playstation 3 has 512MB RAM and it played 3D games and 1080HD Bluray discs 😅

and yes, for $1500 16GB RAM is not much. I checked on Amazon 32GB is sold for $50 retail price. I am just wondering what are they doing with it on a smartphone.

My friend will be bummed that there will no longer be a home button on the SE moving forward.

me and your friend, with FaceID you have to pull out the device and make it face you every time you need switch it on or approve something like Apple Pay

 

[Hank001]

Running out of RAM and swapping apparently uses more battery than having 4x or 8x more RAM... 😅

Well, I really wouldn't know, and can't find hard data on the subject...

 

[ric22]

Well, I really wouldn't know, and can't find hard data on the subject...

I'm not sure anyone has bothered to do a formal scientific investigation, as there is a general consensus on the matter...

 

[Circa1984]

My goodness, Tim Cook fans will praise anything that useless man does. They will rightfully praise him for including 8GB of RAM in the upcoming iPhone SE, and they will also wrongfully praise him for including 8GB of RAM in current Macs.

Cook's fans think that as long as Apple is making boatloads of money, then it doesn't matter if customers are being sold products at extortionate prices while simultaneously lacking functionality.

Cook is a supply chain master and hand selected by Jobs - he has done a tremendous amount for Apple - including transitioning to Apple Silicon. I hate the whole 8GB RAM BS, but that’s the finance guys to blame…. And the shareholders who demand high profit margins. I’m a large shareholder so I’m in a bit of a dilemma here… would be willing to give up a few points on margin to give base Macs their deserved RAM boost - I believe it could result in a revenue + marketshare boost.

 

[chmania]

I’m a large shareholder so I’m in a bit of a dilemma here… would be willing to give up a few points on margin to give base Macs their deserved RAM boost...

You can try, if you have a deciding vote, otherwise...

 

[1987]

How about iPhone SE MAX..!!??

 

[Hank001]

Cook is a supply chain master and hand selected by Jobs - he has done a tremendous amount for Apple - including transitioning to Apple Silicon. I hate the whole 8GB RAM BS, but that’s the finance guys to blame…. And the shareholders who demand high profit margins. I’m a large shareholder so I’m in a bit of a dilemma here… would be willing to give up a few points on margin to give base Macs their deserved RAM boost - I believe it could result in a revenue + marketshare boost.

Excellent points all around, I fully agree.

 

[AndiG]

I checked on Amazon 32GB is sold for $50 retail price. I am just wondering what are they doing with it on a smartphone.

I quote myself „Local AI on a smartphone“ - so what exactly don‘t you understand? Local AI can be an improved Siri and dozens of other features. Or do you think AI features don‘t need RAM if they are running on your smartphone?

 

[MacBH928]

I quote myself „Local AI on a smartphone“ - so what exactly don‘t you understand? Local AI can be an improved Siri and dozens of other features. Or do you think AI features don‘t need RAM if they are running on your smartphone?

I previously answered you telling you I understand the AI part, I meant "smartphone without AI" which is what we currently have. Not sure if the Android devices have AI currently.

 

[chmania]

Not sure if the Android devices have AI currently.

They have, straight from Google, called Gemini. Some Android phone manufacturers have their own AI too. 👍