Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s latest statement pointed out that the standard version of iPhone 18 will only be upgraded to 9GB of memory. (Photo/Reuters)
It was previously reported that Apple’s new generation standard version of iPhone 18 is expected to be upgraded to 12GB of memory, which is regarded as a highlight of the new phone. However, the latest news points out that Apple fans may be disappointed.
According to the latest report by well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the standard version of iPhone 18 will be upgraded from 8GB to 9GB of memory, allowing the system to maintain smoother and more stable operation when executing AI workloads. As for the iPhone 18 Pro series and folding iPhone, it is expected to maintain the 12GB memory configuration.
Apple’s new AI has hardware limitations
The reason why this revelation aroused heated discussion is mainly because when Apple released the new generation of Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2026, it announced that the most powerful device model that drives some advanced AI functions requires at least 12GB of memory in the hardware. Currently, only the iPhone 17 Pro series and iPhone Air can fully support it. The standard version of iPhone 17 is excluded because it is only equipped with 8GB of memory. Therefore, it was generally expected that the standard version of iPhone 18 would be directly upgraded to 12GB.
Now Ming-Chi Kuo’s latest statement has also caused many Apple fans to worry that if the standard iPhone 18 only has 9GB of memory, does it mean that it cannot fully support Apple Intelligence, such as Siri AI customized voices, more accurate dictation recognition and other advanced features.
Apple has put forward more stringent hardware requirements for advanced functions of Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. (Photo/Reuters)
Outside speculation 2 may be
Outsiders believe that Apple’s move may be a deliberate attempt to widen the difference between the standard version and the Pro series, reserving the most complete Apple Intelligence functions for the flagship model. In addition, due to the soaring cost of memory, if the standard version of the iPhone 18 is equipped with 12GB of memory, the price increase will inevitably be too high, which may be a choice Apple has to make.
Another possibility is that Apple will adjust the memory threshold in the future so that 9GB of memory can also support complete Apple Intelligence functions. As for the final answer, it seems that we will have to wait until the standard version of iPhone 18 is officially unveiled.
The standard version is rumored to not be released this year
It is worth noting that multiple sources pointed out that Apple will only launch the iPhone 18 Pro series and folding iPhone at the September conference this year, while the standard iPhone 18 will be postponed to the spring of 2027, when it is expected to appear together with the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 18e will also be upgraded to 9GB of memory simultaneously.
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