Apple to equip all iPhone 18 models with 12GB RAM

Apple is reportedly preparing a major hardware shift for its next flagship, with industry supply-chain sources saying the company plans to equip all iPhone 18 models with 12 gigabytes of RAM. The change, which would extend the higher memory configuration to the standard model for the first time, is expected to coincide with a staggered launch that begins with higher-end models in fall 2026 and finishes with entry-level models in spring 2027.

According to multiple supply-chain reports, Apple has asked its primary memory supplier to increase production of LPDDR5X DRAM modules, which are currently manufactured in 12GB and 16GB configurations. The company is also said to be negotiating with other memory makers to secure additional capacity. The move would close the gap left by the current generation, where the iPhone Air and Pro models ship with 12GB while the base iPhone continues to use 8GB.

The apparent rationale is the rising on-device processing demands of artificial intelligence features Apple is developing. Local AI tasks such as live translation, visual intelligence tools, and enhanced voice assistants consume substantial memory and bandwidth, and a uniform 12GB baseline...