Kuo: Next Year's Upgrade to 12GB RAM Will Be Limited to iPhone 17 Pro Max

Just a day after a noted leaker on Chinese microblogging site Weibo suggested the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025 could see an upgrade to 12GB of RAM across the board, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the upgrade will be limited to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Smaller Dynamic Island Feature 1
If Kuo is correct, it means the smaller iPhone 17 Pro, the base ‌iPhone 17‌, and the all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" will stick with the 8GB figure rumored for the entire iPhone 16 lineup this year. The fourth-generation iPhone SE expected in early 2025 will reportedly also carry 8GB of RAM.

The amount of RAM in Apple's devices is currently of increased importance, as Apple has judged that 8GB is the minimum required for the Apple Intelligence features coming in iOS 18, which means only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max of Apple's current phones will support them. The ‌iPhone‌ 15 and 15 Plus carry only 6GB of RAM.

While a move to 8GB across the board starting with next month's ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup will enable all new iPhones to support ‌Apple Intelligence‌ going forward, a further bump to 12GB would likely allow for even more powerful AI capabilities, but it now appears that may be limited to Apple's highest-end model in 2025.

Aside from the increased 12GB of RAM, Kuo says the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will also have an exclusive cooling system combining vapor chamber technology with graphite sheets. The other new ‌iPhone‌ models launching in 2025 will rely solely on graphite sheets for cooling.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...

Top Rated Comments

N69AP Avatar
19 months ago
Differentiating the Pro models this way doesn't motivate me to spend more on a Pro Max. It means I would either settle for the cheaper iPhone 17 or not upgrade at all.
Score: 76 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThailandToo Avatar
19 months ago
In another six to eight years it will catch up to where good Android phones have been - now at 16GB plus on flagship Android devices - more than a MacBook has!!! Forced obsolescence is good for GREEDY TIM!
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
19 months ago
Come on, this is Apple. Everyone knows this is true. The other report about 12GB for all iPhone 17 was pure fantasy.

This is the same company that puts 8GB RAM in M3 MacBook Pro.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
Nice one Tim, just p**s your customers off more and more, every year, with each new novelty phone release?.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
19 months ago
I find it incredibly annoying that MR releases/shares rumors about future iPhones before the next iPhone (in this case, 16) is released. Feels kind of disrespectful to the unreleased iPhone, IMHO.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aows Avatar
19 months ago

Majority of the customers don’t care about RAM in their phones
Oh, iPhone 15 and 15 Plus owners are going to care about that pretty soon, when they realize their months-old phones can’t run Apple Intelligence.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)