Apple is reportedly increasing the iPhone 16’s RAM to manage AI tasks.
Apple is gearing up to launch the iPhone 16 later this year, sticking to its annual release schedule. Interestingly, Apple seems poised to make a move it typically avoids: increasing the RAM in its devices. The company plans to upgrade the memory in the standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models to support its new AI capabilities known as Apple Intelligence, unveiled in June.
Currently, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus reportedly feature 6GB of RAM, although Apple does not officially confirm this detail. However, when the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus debut in September, both models are expected to receive a boost to 8GB of RAM, according to a Taiwanese news report. If these upgrades materialize, it will mark the first RAM increase for non-Pro iPhones since the iPhone X in 2017. Currently, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models have 8GB of RAM. Earlier models like the iPhone 14 Pro and older have 6GB or less, making them incompatible with Apple’s new AI initiatives.
Apple has not explicitly stated that 8GB of RAM is necessary for Apple Intelligence, but the lack of support for this feature on models with lower RAM suggests its importance. The new iPhone lineup will also leverage powerful neural engines, including the original M1 on desktops and tablets, and the A17 Pro mobile chip used in Pro iPhones. Apple acknowledges that while Apple Intelligence could theoretically run on older hardware, the experience would likely be frustratingly slow.
Apple Intelligence integrates generative AI into its products through a dual approach. Some AI tasks will be processed directly on the device, leveraging the upgraded RAM and neural engines. These tasks include using small language models stored on the phone and enhanced Siri capabilities. More complex AI functions will utilize Apple’s new data centers, reportedly powered by the M2 Ultra chips. Users can interact with Siri for certain tasks, or opt for cloud-based solutions like ChatGPT-4o for broader queries unrelated to the device’s local data.
