Apple is reportedly planning to increase the RAM in the upcoming iPhone 18e to nine GB [1].
This upgrade represents a strategic shift for the company's lower-end hardware. By boosting memory, Apple aims to ensure that more affordable devices can handle the demanding processing requirements of its latest artificial intelligence tools.
Analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 18e will feature nine GB of RAM [1], an increase from the eight GB found in the iPhone 17e [1]. This hardware change is intended to better support Apple Intelligence and other AI-related features integrated into iOS 27 [3, 4].
Technical details regarding the memory configuration suggest the device will utilize an A20 chip with a setup of six dies at 1.5 GB each to reach the nine GB total [5]. This specific architecture allows the device to manage larger AI models locally on the device rather than relying entirely on cloud processing.
Despite the memory boost, other areas of the budget-friendly model may remain stagnant. Reports indicate that the display and camera systems are not expected to receive similar upgrades [2]. This suggests Apple is prioritizing internal processing power over external hardware aesthetics for this specific line.
The iPhone 18e is expected to launch in March 2027 [1], with other reports placing the release window more broadly in the spring of 2027 [3].
“Apple is reportedly planning to increase the RAM in the upcoming iPhone 18e to nine GB.”
The move to nine GB of RAM indicates that Apple's AI ambitions are driving hardware requirements upward across its entire product stack. By upgrading the entry-level model, Apple prevents a 'feature gap' where AI capabilities are locked behind expensive Pro models, ensuring a wider user base can access iOS 27's intelligence tools while maintaining the profitability of the lower-tier hardware.
