Next year’s iPhone 17 models will come with 12GB of RAM, compared to the 8GB of RAM expected on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 models, a reliable source for accurate predictions about Apple’s plans has claimed.
The onboard memory of the current iPhone 15 lineup differs depending on whether the model is a Pro or not: the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have 6GB of RAM, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have 8GB of RAM. This difference is believed to be why Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of in-device features based on artificial intelligence, is currently only supported by the iPhone 15 Pro models.
As per Apple Intelligence, Apple’s next four iPhone 16 models are expected to feature 8GB of RAM, just like the iPhone SE 4, which is likely to launch in the spring. However, in a Weibo post on Wednesday, Chinese-language user “Phone Chip Expert” said that next year’s iPhone 17 models will feature 12GB of RAM for more advanced AI applications on the device.
“If you’re considering upgrading to an AI-powered iPhone, the iPhone 17 in 2025 might be a better choice,” the leaker said. “This year’s iPhone 16 only has 8GB of RAM, with most of the AI processing done in the cloud. Next year’s iPhone 17 will have 12GB of RAM and more cutting-edge AI apps. That’s something to consider for those on a budget who are looking to upgrade their iPhone.”
Edge AI applications refer to AI processing that happens directly on the local device, rather than relying on cloud servers. “Edge” refers to the edge of the network, meaning that data processing happens close to the data source (the device itself), rather than in a centralized location like a cloud data center.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors that additional RAM will be coming to Apple’s 2025 iPhones. In a May 2024 research note with investment firm Haitong, analyst Jeff Pu claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max would come with 12GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 and even the iPhone 17 “Slim” or “Air” with an all-new design would stick with 8GB of RAM. However, today’s leaker seems to suggest that all iPhone 17 models will come with additional RAM, bringing AI-capable continuity to the lineup.
Leak site Phone Chip Expert has a history of making accurate predictions. Phone Chip Expert was the first to reveal that the iPhone 7 would be water-resistant and that the standard iPhone 14 models would continue to use the A15 Bionic chip, while the more advanced A16 chip would be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models. These predictions were later confirmed by multiple credible sources and proved to be accurate when the products were released.
More recently, “Phone Chip Expert” was the first source of information about Apple developing its own AI server processor using TSMC’s 3nm process, targeting mass production by the second half of 2025.
