Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 Air is set to make waves in the smartphone market, promising not only a sleeker design but also enhanced performance features. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Air will be thinner than the standard iPhone 17 and may share significant hardware capabilities with the premium iPhone 17 Pro models.
Kuo's analysis, based on insights from the supply chain, suggests that both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 17 Pro will be equipped with 12GB RAM. Initially, Kuo believed that this impressive memory capacity would be exclusive to the high-end iPhone 17 Pro Max. However, it seems that Apple is considering expanding this feature to other models in the lineup, which could significantly enhance their performance.
While the standard iPhone 17 is expected to retain the 8GB RAM configuration seen in the iPhone 16, Kuo has not dismissed the possibility of the base model also receiving an upgrade to 12GB RAM. This decision will likely hinge on “potential supply shortages” that Apple may face in the coming month, which could influence their final production specifications.
As it stands, Apple currently ships 8GB RAM in its iPhone 16 series, which includes the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This RAM configuration has proven essential for supporting Apple Intelligence features on both the iPhone and iPad. For instance, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are the first models to utilize 8GB RAM, enabling them to support advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus lack this feature due to their lower RAM capacity.
Looking further into the future, Kuo anticipates that all new iPhone 18 models, expected by the end of next year, will adopt the 12GB RAM configuration. This move aligns with Apple’s growing emphasis on generative AI features in marketing its products. With more on-device memory, users can expect smoother performance and enhanced capabilities, especially as AI technology continues to advance.
Apple's commitment to increasing RAM extends beyond the iPhone. In fact, the company recently doubled the base RAM in its Macs from 8GB to 16GB, reflecting the rising demand for more memory as applications become increasingly resource-intensive. Interestingly, Apple still offers a single iPad model, the $349 iPad 11, with less than 8GB RAM, which does not support Apple Intelligence features.
As the launch date for the iPhone 17 series approaches, tech enthusiasts and consumers alike are eager to see how these developments will shape Apple's product offerings and improve user experience.
