iPhone 18 Base Model to Get Two Pro Upgrades

The base iPhone 18 model that Apple is expected to release by March 2027 will be equipped with 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17, according to analyst Jeff Pu.

RAM Upgrades and Conflicting Analyst Reports

Analyst Jeff Pu’s latest assessment indicates that the standard iPhone 18 will gain the exact same amount of memory found in the iPhone 17 Pro models. Analyst Dan Nystedt previously claimed the same 12GB RAM upgrade for the base iPhone 18 back in April.

However, these projections directly conflict with the most recent report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo, both the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e will feature only 9GB of RAM. Kuo noted that this lower memory ceiling could prevent the devices from supporting certain Apple Intelligence features.

Despite disagreements on the flagship base model, Pu and Kuo share the same outlook for the budget-friendly tier. Pu agrees with Kuo that the lower-cost iPhone 18e, which is also slated for a spring release, will arrive with 9GB of RAM based on supply chain information and independent sources. Both upcoming devices are expected to run on the A20 chip, according to supply chain data.

Dynamic Island Scaling Across the Lineup

Beyond memory configurations, Pu believes that the regular iPhone 18 will feature a narrower Dynamic Island. Most early rumors concerning a smaller Dynamic Island focused exclusively on the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. Yet, Chinese leaker Ice Universe has also claimed that the smaller Dynamic Island cutout will be adopted across the entire iPhone 18 product lineup.

Broader Hardware Trends and Pricing Pressures

According to an earnings note issued by Jeff Pu of GF Securities, this year’s iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could be $250 to $300 more expensive than existing iPhone 17 Pro models. Pu attributes potential price hikes to higher 2nm silicon costs alongside escalating DRAM and NAND expenses, driven in part by global component shortages tied to broader artificial intelligence infrastructure demands.

Pu reports that Apple plans to release a second-generation iPhone Air in the first quarter of 2027. The iPhone Air 2 is expected to introduce five new features over the current model, most notably the addition of a second 48-megapixel rear camera featuring an Ultra Wide lens to complement the existing Fusion shooter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM will the base iPhone 18 have?

According to analyst Jeff Pu, the base iPhone 18 will feature 12GB of RAM, an increase from the 8GB found in the iPhone 17. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo disputes this, projecting only 9GB of RAM.

When is the iPhone 18 expected to launch?

Apple is expected to release the base iPhone 18 model by March 2027.

What processor will power the iPhone 18 models?

Both the standard iPhone 18 and the budget-friendly iPhone 18e are expected to be powered by the A20 chip.

Why might iPhone 18 Pro models cost more?

Analyst Jeff Pu attributes potential price increases of $250 to $300 for Pro models to higher 2nm silicon production costs and elevated DRAM and NAND expenses resulting from global component shortages.