Important nuance — earlier reporting was more optimistic. Before Kuo's supply-chain data emerged, some outlets (including 9to5Mac and Macworld) predicted the base iPhone 18 would get 12GB and support all Siri AI features . Kuo's later analysis, now widely corroborated, revised that to 9GB
. The 9GB figure is currently the consensus among supply-chain sources.
The RAM gap is not the only divide between the standard and Pro iPhone 18 models:
Apple is using the A20 vs. A20 Pro chip split for the first time, alongside the RAM difference as an AI capability gate . The A20 Pro uses a more advanced Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging technique for better performance and thermals
.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and multiple supply-chain reports confirm this is a deliberate strategic change, not a delay — Apple wants to separate Pro and mainstream launches to manage production complexity, component costs, and marketing focus .