iPhone 17 Lineup May Feature 12GB of RAM Across More Models, Says Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple may be gearing up to significantly boost memory across its upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, according to a new update from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In his latest research note, Kuo reports that Apple is now expected to include 12GB of DRAM in not just the Pro Max, but also in the iPhone 17 Pro and an ultra-thin model—believed to be the rumored iPhone 17 Air.

This marks a shift from Kuo’s earlier forecast, which suggested that only the Pro Max would see the RAM increase. He now indicates that Apple is seriously considering extending 12GB even to the base iPhone 17. However, a final decision on the standard model's memory configuration is expected by May, with supply constraints still under evaluation.

Currently, many of Apple’s high-end iPhones ship with 8GB of RAM, so moving to 12GB across more devices would be a notable jump. Kuo estimates that 12GB DRAM costs roughly 50% more than 8GB, meaning this change could slightly increase Apple’s production costs. Even so, he believes this is a strategic move to stay competitive in a smartphone market where hardware capabilities are increasingly under the spotlight.

Looking further ahead, Kuo anticipates that by the second half of 2026, all iPhone models released by Apple will ship with 12GB of RAM as standard.

The upgrade would also benefit Apple’s DRAM suppliers, including Micron and SK Hynix, who are expected to see increased orders if Apple pushes forward with this memory expansion.

For a sneak peek at how the iPhone 17 series might look, don’t miss the dummy models recently shared online and this hands-on video showing the strikingly thin iPhone 17 Air: ● Hands-On With 'iPhone 17 Air' Dummy Reveals 'Scary Thin' Design [Video]

If you want to dig deeper into the rumored iPhone 17 specs, including details about the A19 chip, redesigned camera layouts, and expected display sizes, check out: ● iPhone 17 Specs Allegedly Leaked: A19 Chip, Upgraded Cameras, Slim Model, More

With its memory upgrade strategy, Apple seems poised to bring a noticeable performance leap to the iPhone 17 lineup—especially for multitasking, gaming, and future AI-driven features.