Apple is gearing up to launch the iPhone 16 series next month, but details about the iPhone 17 series are already surfacing.
Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities analyst reveals that the iPhone 17 lineup, set for release in 2025, might include an upgrade to 12GB of RAM, potentially exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro Max with 12GB RAM
Kuo suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro, base iPhone 17, and the new iPhone 17 “Slim” will likely retain 8GB of RAM, consistent with the iPhone 16 series expectations. The fourth-generation iPhone SE, expected in early 2025, is also anticipated to have 8GB of RAM.
Apple now considers 8GB of RAM the minimum required for the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18. As a result, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support these features, while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, with just 6GB of RAM, do not.
The iPhone 16 series will standardize 8GB of RAM across all models to ensure support for Apple Intelligence. For the iPhone 17 series, Kuo suggests that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might feature 12GB of RAM, which could offer enhanced AI capabilities, though this upgrade might be limited to the Pro Max model.
Additionally, Kuo notes that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a unique cooling system combining vapor chamber technology with graphite sheets, while other 2025 iPhone models will use graphite sheets alone for cooling.
Kuo also highlights that the Pro Max models account for nearly 40% of iPhone sales, making them a significant driver of Apple’s revenue and profit. This strategy of providing the highest specifications for the Pro Max is expected to continue due to its substantial financial impact.