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All Three 2017 iPhones Predicted to Have 3GB of RAM and Lightning Connectors With Faster Charging
All three of Apple's rumored 2017 iPhone models will likely have 3GB of RAM, according to Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri.
An excerpt from Arcuri's late March research note, obtained by MacRumors:
Apple already includes 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus, so the 4.7-inch iPhone would be the only model with increased RAM.
If the prediction is accurate, it's welcomed news for customers that plan on purchasing the next 4.7-inch iPhone, rather than spending upwards of $200 more on the so-called "iPhone 8" with an edge-to-edge OLED display.
Increased RAM means an iPhone can store more data in memory. If you have dozens of tabs open in Safari on an older iPhone, for example, you may notice that some of the tabs refresh when you revisit them. But with increased RAM, the likelihood of Safari reloading a website you previously loaded is lower.
Arcuri also corroborated KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in saying that all three 2017 iPhone models will continue to have Lightning connectors with USB Type-C Power Delivery for faster charging.
Cowen's research is based on his own checks of Apple's supply chain, so his prediction lends credence to the already-reliable Kuo.
The Wall Street Journal previously said the "iPhone 8" will have "a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector." But the report did not provide any additional details, and it appears the Lightning connector will live on.
An excerpt from Arcuri's late March research note, obtained by MacRumors:
In terms of memory/storage configuration, all three models will likely adopt 3GB RAM; the 4.7”/5.5” will likely have the same storage options as the current iPhone 7/7+ in 32/128/256GB while the 5.8” model looks to be only offered in two memory configurations: 64GB and 256GB. Finally, the 5.8” model will likely have extended battery life with two packs of batteries.Arcuri's research contradicts Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, which recently said that only the next 5.5-inch iPhone and Apple's rumored 5.8-inch iPhone with an OLED display will have 3GB of RAM. TrendForce said the next 4.7-inch iPhone will continue to have 2GB of RAM like the iPhone 7.
Apple already includes 3GB of RAM in the iPhone 7 Plus, so the 4.7-inch iPhone would be the only model with increased RAM.
If the prediction is accurate, it's welcomed news for customers that plan on purchasing the next 4.7-inch iPhone, rather than spending upwards of $200 more on the so-called "iPhone 8" with an edge-to-edge OLED display.
Increased RAM means an iPhone can store more data in memory. If you have dozens of tabs open in Safari on an older iPhone, for example, you may notice that some of the tabs refresh when you revisit them. But with increased RAM, the likelihood of Safari reloading a website you previously loaded is lower.
Arcuri also corroborated KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in saying that all three 2017 iPhone models will continue to have Lightning connectors with USB Type-C Power Delivery for faster charging.
Cowen's research is based on his own checks of Apple's supply chain, so his prediction lends credence to the already-reliable Kuo.
The Wall Street Journal previously said the "iPhone 8" will have "a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company’s original Lightning connector." But the report did not provide any additional details, and it appears the Lightning connector will live on.
Related Roundup: iPhone 8
[ 183 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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20 months ago
No USB-C?
Laptops with USB-C, with headphone jack.
Phones without USB-C, without headphone jack.
Tablets without USB-C, with headphone jack.
It's a mess.
Laptops with USB-C, with headphone jack.
Phones without USB-C, without headphone jack.
Tablets without USB-C, with headphone jack.
It's a mess.
20 months ago
I've got no problem with USB-C replacing the USB-A end of the cable. But going to USB-C on the iPhone itself is stupid.
20 months ago
I could go either way on lightning vs USB-C. I'm not eager for another change on connectors for all the iOS devices but I could see it being convenient if the entire Apple line standardized to USB-C
20 months ago
You could use any wire to charge your phone because all chargers would use type C.
A 1-wire solution is a nice theory, but it doesn't match reality, at least not for me. The reason I have cable clutter all over the place is definitely because of USB.
I just bought a rechargeable bicycle rear light and a CR2032 battery recharger, both of which are Mini-USB. Even recently designed hardware like Xbox One S controllers still have micro USB. So even the USB people aren't getting their act together and moving to the latest standard.
While USB may be the industry standard, it is in no way a 1-cable solution. Even if you throw out the 4 that are for connecting computer equipment, you've still got 3 that are widely used for charging (Mini, Micro, and C).
So yes, Apple should change to USB-C, but until every else does too, the 1-wire charging cable is a pipe dream.
20 months ago
Pretty sure the article says its a lightning to USB C cable for the next iPhone...meaning it would be perfectly compatible with the new laptops...aka not a mess...???
Lightning headphones won't work on a Mac but will work on an iPhone or iPad
USB-C headphones will work on a Mac but won't work on an iPhone or iPad
3.5mm headphones will work on an iPad or Mac, but not an iPhone
But hey, in exchange for carrying around two pairs of headphones or a dongle, my phone is a whopping half millimeter thinner. Thanks Apple!
Yes, it's a mess.
20 months ago
Samsung S8 has 6GB. Note 8 will come with 6.4 inch screen at 4K and also hooks up to an external monitor and keyboard with an optional $150 Hockey Puck Dock.
I will be getting a Note 8 instead of an iPhone for the very first time in many years
IF Apple follows the same lead as Samsung making your phone expandable and a portable desktop computer I will come back to the iPhone .
And yet the iPhone 7 beats both the S7 and S8 in real-world and benchmark tests...what's your point here? You want more RAM just so you can say you have more?
20 months ago
USB-C and I buy an iPhone 8. Lightning, and I'll buy an iPhone 6s.
Upgrading from a 4s.
Upgrading from a 4s.
20 months ago
No, no, no, no, no! Apple, you can't keep using Lightning. Use USB-C, for goodness sake! Make your products work together without annoying your customers!
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