Delayed iPhone 18 could get a RAM boost and a more powerful chipset

While the vanilla Apple iPhone 18 isn't expected to launch this year with its pro-tier brethren, the delayed phone could arrive with a nice upgrade when it does release.

Despite recent rumors of cost-saving downgrades coming to the iPhone 18, analyst Dan Nystedt claims the standard Apple smartphone will come with at least one major upgrade: 12GB of RAM.

Nystedt's claims run counter to the downgrade rumors from earlier this week. But 12GB of RAM might still be a part of cost-cutting measures as even Apple has to navigate the ongoing RAM crisis.

In recent years, the now smaller 8GB RAM standard has been cut by manufacturers as the lowest tier, similar to how 128GB has largely disappeared as a base storage size. Plus, as AI demands have increased, so too has the need for more RAM.

The iPhone 18 getting 12GB would be a major boost over the 8GB in the current iPhone 17 base model. Last year, Apple boosted the iPhone 17 Pro models to 12GB

Nystedt appended his 12GB RAM claim to a previous rumor that Apple was developing a 2nm A20 chipset with TSMC. This should boost performance and power efficiency.

What we know about the iPhone 18 right now

The vanilla iPhone 18 has long been rumored to not launch alongside the Pro models this September. Instead, it should launch next spring with the iPhone 18e model.

We should note that if Apple is increasing the RAM in the iPhone 18, the company could also raise the price. Last year's iPhone 17 maintained the same $799 as the iPhone 16. However, that was before RAMageddon.

Beyond the launch date and price, we're not expecting any major design changes. It's possible the dynamic island could be smaller.

A more powerful chipset and more RAM seem to be the only real interior updates thus far. Apple could adopt its in-house C2 modem, but Apple still has a Qualcomm contract through 2027, so that rumor isn't as clear.

Unlike the Pro models where most leakers put their efforts, there are still a lot of gaps to fill in regarding the base model. But the regular iPhone 18 could be worth waiting for if you're on a budget.

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