Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the upcoming iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will ship with 9GB RAM, marking an upgrade from the current 8GB configuration in lower-end iPhone 17 models. These spring 2027 releases will utilize the new A20 chip with a 1.5GB x 6 dies architecture, differing from the 2GB x 4 dies setup found in today's standard iPhones.

The RAM boost directly supports Apple Intelligence features planned for iOS 27, ensuring smoother performance for on-device AI workloads. While the iPhone 18 Pro lineup arriving this fall will maintain 12GB RAM like current Pro models, the base variants are getting meaningful upgrades to handle advanced Siri capabilities and system-wide AI processing that requires more memory bandwidth.

Apple recently increased prices across Mac and iPad products, leaving iPhone 17 pricing unchanged. However, with the company raising costs even on entry-level devices like the MacBook Neo, the iPhone 18 and 18e will likely face similar price increases when they launch. This hardware advancement positions Apple's mainstream smartphones to compete with Android flagships that already ship with 12GB or more RAM.

The configuration change reflects Apple's strategy to standardize AI capabilities across its entire iPhone lineup rather than limiting them to premium models. Consumers can expect better multitasking and longer software support lifecycles, though they'll pay more for the privilege.