Apple’s base model iPhone 18 may ship with 9GB of RAM instead of the 12GB that was previously rumored, and that change raises fresh questions about support for iOS 27’s most demanding AI features.
Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple plans to use an A20 chip with 9GB of RAM for the lower-end iPhone 18 models, likely including the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, which are expected around March or April 2027.
The report says Apple will use six 1.5GB dies for a total of 9GB RAM, instead of the 2GB x 4 setup used in current lower-end iPhone 17 models.
This matters because Apple’s more advanced AI features need higher memory, and the base iPhone 17 already misses some iOS 27 capabilities because it only has 8GB of RAM.
Apple May Set a New RAM Floor
The move to 9GB suggests Apple wants the base iPhone 18 to handle more Apple Intelligence features without giving it the same 12GB RAM as the Pro models.
Apple is expected to reserve 12GB RAM for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone, which are rumored to launch earlier in fall 2026.
For buyers, the main concern is clear: the base iPhone 18 should support iOS 27’s key AI features, but Apple’s final feature list will decide how much that 9GB upgrade really matters.
