Xcode Confirms All 2019 iPhones Feature 4GB RAM, S5 Apple Watch Chip Identical to S4 [Updated]

[nordique]

That tear down didn’t mention RAM. The 4 GB is quoted from the Chinese regulatory filing.



iPhone 7 came out 3 years ago.


4 GB is appropriate.


For example, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus would disagree with you.

Yes and the 6s and 8 came out 4 years and 2 years respectively. 8 is still on the market and performs fine. What is the point?

iPhone 6 and 6 plus certainly could have used the extra GB of ram. I was upset about that at the time. However Apple didn’t feel iOS 8 warranted it at the time, even if it should have

 

[EugW]

Yes and the 6s and 8 came out 4 years and 2 years respectively. 8 is still on the market and performs fine. What is the point?

That's just it. The 8 now is showing its age now in terms of Safari tab reloads, etc. 3 GB iDevices do much better in this regard compared to 2 GB iDevices.

And it is looking like 2019 iPad 10.2" comes with 3 GB RAM actually, and that thing is only $299-$309 (edu).

 

[ElCharro]

More RAM = more power use = less battery life.

Logic dictates otherwise though. More RAM= less refreshing= less active power consumption= more battery life.

Look, I’m not saying 4GB isn’t enough (I’ve got an XS Max and it works fine with 4GB), but to try and construe that more RAM can be considered anything but an advantage is somewhat obtuse. More RAM is always a good thing. Always.

 

[JPack]

They’re not doing the tear down until Friday.

Right now, it's already Friday morning in Australia time. If I understand it correctly, iFixit buys an iPhone in Australia for a live teardown.

 

[myapple2019]

I’d love to have the AOD, but I got a gold stainless watch last year and a matching Milanese loop and all that cost a bit. So I’m staying put for now if AOD is the only new feature I’m excited over. I do think the new lineup is very attractive for anyone who is in a position to upgrade. Titanium looks cool!

I have a gold stainless steel last year with a matching Milanese Koop and I am upgrading to ceramic, which is not available last year due to “always on display” which is extremely important for a ‘normal’ watch. Series 4 and before do not have the ‘normal’ watch behavior which is pretty annoying to me and can be inconvenient when you are riding a bike or doing certain activities. To see time and the contents of the ‘watch’, you need to raise your wrist or tapping it, which is not “normal” for a watch. A digital watch always displays its time and content. Imagine that you need to tap all clocks including the one in all cars. I want to have a “normal” Apple Watch and thanks to Apple to make it happen.

 

[nordique]

That's just it. The 8 now is showing its age now in terms of Safari tab reloads, etc. 3 GB iDevices do much better in this regard compared to 2 GB iDevices.

And it is looking like 2019 iPad 10.2" comes with 3 GB RAM actually, and that thing is only $299-$309 (edu).

Ah I see

Yes I agree. I do think that they are good now, today. But when you spend so much money you expect a bit more. i did with the new pros last year.

But I haven’t had any issues so far

 

[dazz87]

A Pro Phone with 4GB of Ram in 2019........

 

[TeamMojo]

Maybe S5 has some of the power management improvements like in the A13 and that's how they can do the always on display?

 

[JPack]

Maybe S5 has some of the power management improvements like in the A13 and that's how they can do the always on display?

"Several advanced technologies work together to deliver this new feature, including the industry’s only low-temperature polysilicone and oxide display (LTPO), ultra-low power display driver, efficient power management integrated circuit and new ambient light sensor."​

Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 5

Apple today announced Apple Watch Series 5, debuting an Always-On Retina display that never sleeps.

www.apple.com

 

[lec0rsaire]

This means the cheap iPad will perform about the same as the iPhone 7 Plus which is not bad. It could’ve been better with an A11 but it’s not bad for the price. Those who need more power just have to pony up for an Air or wait for the Air to get the A13 around March or so.
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Also if it’s true that the 11 Pro doesn’t have 6 GB RAM then that makes holding off for another year much easier. The 2020 iPhone 12 should have 5G and 6 GB RAM. I doubt Apple will keep the flagship at 4 until 2021 but anything’s possible with Apple.

 

[delta0]

I don’t know if a tear down will show the extra 2GB RAM. It makes sense to have this dedicated to the camera. With 3 cameras worth of data, slow motion etc. That is a big buffer it needs so dedicated RAM may be the solution.

 

[Abazigal]

A Pro Phone with 4GB of Ram in 2019........

My iPad pro comes with 4 gb of ram as well.

At the end of the day, it’s not going to impact my enjoyment of the device. All the ram in the world isn’t going to change the fact that Samsung phones have no software or services ecosystem to speak of, and that’s really why I love my Apple devices at the end of the day.

Not saying I wouldn’t mind more ram, but it is what it is, and life goes on.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

My iPad pro comes with 4 gb of ram as well.

At the end of the day, it’s not going to impact my enjoyment of the device. All the ram in the world isn’t going to change the fact that Samsung phones have no software or services ecosystem to speak of, and that’s really why I love my Apple devices at the end of the day.

Not saying I wouldn’t mind more ram, but it is what it is, and life goes on.

In addition to which, Android phones NEED much more RAM than iPhones—just in order to function decently. That is why you have seen Android phones with 6, 8, and I think 10GB RAM in the last 2 years. Their inefficient and bloated operating system can't do with less and perform even as (still behind the A-series iphones!) somewhat competitive to iphones.

 

[falainber]

In addition to which, Android phones NEED much more RAM than iPhones—just in order to function decently. That is why you have seen Android phones with 6, 8, and I think 10GB RAM in the last 2 years. Their inefficient and bloated operating system can't do with less and perform even as (still behind the A-series iphones!) somewhat competitive to iphones.

Galaxy Note 10+ has 12GB. It's not because Android is inefficient. It's because it has more features and much more advanced multitasking. For example, Samsung DEX offers desktop-like interface with many windows (i.e. many concurrently running apps). iPhone does not offer this thus it does not need as much RAM.

 

[jonblatho]

The Apple website says the Series 5 Apple Watch has a 64-bit dual core S5 processor. So is this article suggesting it’s the exact same chip with just a name change?

I’m not bothered as I ordered my S5 this morning, just curious...

Sort of. The CPU and GPU in the S5 system-in-package (SiP) are identical to those in the S4 SiP. However, the SiP includes other components than just the processor.

For example, the S1P SiP used in the Series 1 was identical to the S2 from the Series 2, except the S1P lacked GPS. You can then extrapolate that to this case, where the S5 likely includes some hardware for the compass for the Series 5 where the S4, of course, doesn’t. Some other SiP components may be updated as well (perhaps for improved power efficiency, etc.).

 

[Channan]

[Android’s] inefficient and bloated operating system can't do with less and perform even as (still behind the A-series iphones!) somewhat competitive to iphones.

That’s weird. This comment is from 2012 but the date shows today.

 

[Abazigal]

In addition to which, Android phones NEED much more RAM than iPhones—just in order to function decently. That is why you have seen Android phones with 6, 8, and I think 10GB RAM in the last 2 years. Their inefficient and bloated operating system can't do with less and perform even as (still behind the A-series iphones!) somewhat competitive to iphones.

I think it’s more a matter of marketing than efficiency.

When pretty much every android phone out there runs the same underlying OS and sports the same services, the only way they can compete are price and specs. What do you do when the competitor has a phone with 8 gb ram? You put out 10 or 12, even if it doesn’t necessarily make any difference in the end user experience, because bigger numbers help you stand out more.

It’s certainly a lot less work than something like say, 3D Touch or Face ID, which requires close integration between hardware and software and the support of app developers.

Apple doesn’t face the same problems because they have fairly unique product offering - their devices are sufficiently differentiated by proprietary software and unique services.

Of course all other things equal, I would sooner opt for an iPhone with 6 gb ram over one with 4, but the world isn’t a perfect place, and I would still opt for an iPhone with 4 gb ram over an android smartphone with much more ram.

 

[okeribok]

I was thinking about getting an Apple Watch S5 as my first Apple Watch, but it feels dumb to buy when there are no performance upgrades and sleep tracking and more significant features are most likely coming next year.

My suggestion: get a series 3 now (either used or new) and get the updated sensors next year.