iPhone 17 and iPhone 18 RAM upgrade: Apple is quietly preparing some major memory upgrades for its next iPhones, according to fresh leaks. The iPhone 17 series, expected to launch later this year, will reportedly come with 12GB of RAM across all models — including the base and “Air” versions. That’s a significant jump from the current 8GB setup found in iPhone 16 Pro models.
But the bigger leap is coming in 2026 with the iPhone 18 lineup, which could be Apple’s first to feature six-channel LPDDR5X memory, offering faster bandwidth and better performance — especially for AI and multitasking features.
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Apple’s Next Big RAM Upgrade – iPhone 17 Series to Get 12GB RAM, iPhone 18 to Feature LPDDR5X Memory
What’s New in iPhone 17?
According to reliable leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is set to equip the entire iPhone 17 lineup — including base, Air, Pro, and Pro Max — with 12GB of RAM. That’s the same capacity currently found in high-end Android flagships and marks Apple’s continued focus on AI-powered features that require more memory.
- RAM: 12GB for all iPhone 17 models
- Chipset: A19 Pro for iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max
- Process: 3nm by TSMC (for A19 Pro), ensuring improved power efficiency and performance
- AI Capabilities: Enhanced by the larger memory pool
These phones are expected to support Apple Intelligence and other next-gen features that demand higher memory capacity.
What to Expect from iPhone 18?
The iPhone 18 series, likely to launch in late 2026, could take things even further. Leaks suggest it will debut with LPDDR5X six-channel memory, which offers better speed and energy efficiency than current memory technologies.
- Memory Type: LPDDR5X (6-channel)
- Benefits: Faster performance, improved multitasking, enhanced support for AI features
- RAM Capacity: Likely 12GB across the lineup
This switch would be a first for Apple, potentially giving it an edge in the evolving smartphone performance race.
Release Timeline
- iPhone 17 Series: Launch expected in September 2025
- iPhone 18 Series: Expected by late 2026
Apple is currently in the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) phase for iPhone 17. That means the lineup is on schedule, with Design Validation (DVT) and Production Validation Testing (PVT) coming next — all key steps before mass production.
FAQs
Yes, according to leaks, even the base and Air models will feature 12GB of RAM.
They’ll feature the A19 Pro chip, built on a 3nm process by TSMC.
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