Apple may boost iPhone 18's memory to support on-device Siri
What's the story
Apple's next-generation iPhone 18 is said to get a major memory upgrade, according to DigiTimes. The report cites South Korea's KB Securities and claims that the tech giant plans to bump up the RAM on its standard model from 8GB to 12GB. This would bring it in line with Apple's more premium models and support its latest on-device artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and future Siri upgrades.
Tech advancements
iPhone 18 to support advanced AI features
At WWDC 2026, Apple had revealed that its most advanced on-device AI model needs 12GB of unified memory. The company also showcased new capabilities for Siri and dictation improvements powered by this upgraded AI model. Currently, only iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max meet this memory requirement.
Market strategy
Apple to ensure memory parity across entire iPhone lineup
The report also claims that Apple plans to ensure memory parity across its entire iPhone 18 lineup. This is in line with the company's growing focus on artificial intelligence. An earlier report from Korean publication The Bell had also suggested that the iPhone 18 would get a 50% bump in memory compared to its predecessor.
Cost management
Apple to absorb higher component costs
Despite the higher costs due to the RAM upgrade, Apple is said to be willing to absorb these costs instead of passing them on to customers. This way, the iPhone 18 can keep its current starting price of $799. KB Securities also reports that Apple has asked memory suppliers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron for more LPDDR5X RAM chip shipments.
Release schedule
iPhone 18 expected to launch in early-2027
The iPhone 18 is expected to be launched in the first half of 2027 as Apple plans to debut its iPhone 18 Pro models and first foldable iPhone in late 2026. If Apple maintains the same starting price for the iPhone 18, it would stand out in a smartphone market where many brands have recently increased prices due to rising component costs, tariffs, and growing investments in AI hardware.