With the iPhone 16, Apple elevated the quantity of RAM to 8GB so it could correctly run upcoming Apple Intelligence options. And additional RAM will increase might be on the playing cards as Apple Intelligence evolves, if the newest report a few future iPhone is any indication.
In line with a report on Weibo by “Cell phone chip knowledgeable,” the iPhone 18 will characteristic a brand new A20 chip that features 12GB of RAM:
The 2nm processor A20 of the 2026 Apple iPhone will undertake a brand new packaging technique. APTS has been modified from the unique InFo to the WMCM packaging technique. Reminiscence can even be upgraded to 12GB, and the entire community shall be introduced 2 years prematurely.
The individual behind “Cellular chip knowledgeable” states of their Weibo profile that they’ve 25 years within the built-in chip trade. That individual has additionally made correct predictions previously. “Cellular chip knowledgeable” additionally reported in August that the iPhone 17 could have 12GB of RAM, a reported echoed by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Whereas Apple Intelligence isn’t formally obtainable but, it’s already had an impact on the corporate’s merchandise. For the characteristic to work the way in which Apple needs it to work, the iPhone, iPad, and Mac want extra RAM, a part the corporate has been stingy with traditionally. However with the brand new iPhone 16, Apple elevated the quantity of RAM within the gadget, and is rumored to do the identical with the upcoming base M4 MacBook Professional.
AI options like Apple Intelligence are processor-intensive, so having sufficient RAM is essential for an optimum expertise. As Apple Intelligence evolves, it may develop into extra demanding of the processor, which may clarify why Apple is about to extend RAM in future units.
The report additionally mentions that the A20 chip within the iPhone 18 shall be manufactured utilizing an enhanced 2nm course of. This falls according to a report from the start of this 12 months that stated that Apple was wanting into the 2nm course of for its iPhone 17 in 2025.
The nanometer course of refers back to the manufacturing of the chip, and 2nm permits for elevated transistor density over the present 3nm used for the A18 and A18 Professional within the iPhone 16 and 16 Professional respectively. The upper the transistor density, the higher the efficiency and energy effectivity. The improved 2nm course of for the A20 chip in 2026 would introduce enhancements from the usual 2nm course of.