Apple’s standard iPhone 18 may not support the full range of Apple Intelligence features because the company reportedly plans to equip it with only 9GB of RAM.
The full suite of Apple Intelligence features requires a minimum of 12GB of RAM, the same as Gemini Intelligence on Android phones.
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will use the same 9GB memory configuration in the regular iPhone 18 and the cheaper iPhone 18e, which is expected to launch around March or April 2027.
The reported memory limit could prevent the two phones from handling more advanced AI features directly on the device.
The lower memory capacity could help Apple control prices for the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e.
However, it may also create a wider gap between the regular and Pro models when it comes to advanced Apple Intelligence features.
Kuo has a strong record of reporting Apple’s supply-chain plans, but the company has not confirmed the memory specifications or AI capabilities of the iPhone 18 lineup.
According to Kuo, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will use six 1.5GB DRAM chips, providing a total of 9GB of RAM.
That would be a modest increase over the 8GB available in the current standard iPhone 17 models.
Previous reports suggested that Apple could increase the memory to 12GB to support more complex on-device AI processing.
However, memory shortages and higher component costs reportedly pushed Apple to settle for 9GB instead, with the company prioritising supply stability and lower production costs.
iOS 27 will bring tighter system-level integration with Apple Intelligence. My latest industry checks suggest Apple's lower-end 1H27 iPhones, powered by the A20 chip, will move to 9GB DRAM (1.5GB × 6 dies), up from 8GB (2GB × 4 dies) in the current A19 models, to keep the system…
— 郭明錤｜Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) June 26, 2026
Both phones are expected to use Apple’s upcoming A20 chipset.
The chip will reportedly use TSMC’s advanced 2nm manufacturing process and could deliver around 15 percent better CPU performance than the A19 series.
It may also improve power efficiency by up to 30 percent, which could result in faster everyday performance and longer battery life.
The A20 is also expected to include a stronger Neural Engine for future AI-related features, although the reported 9GB of RAM may still limit more demanding on-device processing.
The iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable iPhone are reportedly expected to offer 12GB of RAM.
The foldable device may launch under the iPhone Ultra name. Both the Pro models and the foldable iPhone are expected to use the more powerful A20 Pro chipset.
Apple reportedly plans to launch these higher-end devices during its usual fall 2026 release window.
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