Danny Weber
Analysts say Apple could raise the base iPhone 18 to 12GB of RAM so it can run the most advanced Siri AI features without pushing up the starting price.
According to South Korean firm KB Securities, the base iPhone 18 will get 12GB of RAM. This upgrade is not just about a bigger number on the spec sheet: the extra memory should help the smartphone handle Apple’s most advanced AI features and the new version of Siri.
At WWDC 2026, Apple said the most powerful Siri AI model requires 12GB of unified memory. That is the amount needed for the assistant’s improved voices and more accurate system-wide dictation.
In the current iPhone lineup, only the pricier models meet those requirements: iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The standard iPhone 17 has only 8GB of RAM, so some of the new features are unavailable on it.
According to insiders, Apple plans to remove that limitation with its next smartphone generation. The base iPhone 18 is expected to move up to 12GB of memory, a 50% jump over its predecessor.
To make that happen, Apple is reportedly already increasing purchases of LPDDR5X memory chips from major DRAM suppliers, including Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. The company is also said to be ready to absorb the higher component costs itself instead of passing them on to buyers.
If the information proves accurate, the starting price of the base iPhone 18 will remain at $799, despite the notable memory increase and broader built-in AI capabilities.
Preliminary reports suggest that iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone will debut in autumn 2026. The regular iPhone 18, iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18e may arrive later, in the first half of 2027.
© T. Feodor