We’ve just wrapped up the first quarter of 2025, so it’s far too early to talk about a phone launching in the fall of 2026. To be fair, it’s not even a fair conversation to have yet. But an interesting rumor has emerged from the supply chain. And it seems to bode better for Samsung than for Apple, at least from my perspective.
Samsung could helm Apple’s AI ship in iPhone 18, supplying advanced RAM
Early details about the iPhone 18 are already beginning to surface. Sure, it’s way too early, but when has that ever stopped the rumor mill? A new report (via 9to5Mac) from the supply chain suggests that Apple plans to use upgraded, high-bandwidth RAM in the iPhone 18 lineup to support more advanced AI features, better known as Apple Intelligence.
Interestingly, this next-generation RAM is expected to be sourced from Samsung (via Jukanlosreve), continuing Apple’s dependence on the Korean tech giant for memory components. The RAM in question will likely feature a 6-channel configuration, offering significantly higher data throughput.
As you may already know, Apple Intelligence still feels like a work in progress. For example, in AI image editing, Galaxy phones have managed to outperform iPhones rather quickly. Apple and Samsung have long been fierce rivals, often learning and unlearning from each other. So it’s disappointing to see one of them fall behind so noticeably. With the iPhone 18, Apple seems determined not to repeat these missteps and is planning hardware improvements accordingly.
Although the iPhone 18 is still far off, expected in the fall of 2026, Apple reportedly has plans in store for the iPhone 17 lineup as well. To stay competitive with the upcoming Galaxy S25 phones, Apple is expected to boost RAM in all four iPhone 17 models to 12GB, according to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, Kuo also notes that supply chain issues could throw a wrench into those plans. If that happens, there’s still a chance the iPhone 17 lineup could end up stuck with 8GB of RAM.
