According to a report from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, three out of the four iPhone 17 models will ship with 12GB of RAM, a significant bump over the 8GB currently found in the entire iPhone 16 range.
If accurate, this would give the iPhone 17 series a much-needed performance edge — especially with Apple Intelligence on the horizon.
RAM Breakdown: iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16
Here’s how the RAM specs are shaping up:
| Model | iPhone 16 RAM | iPhone 17 RAM (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | 8GB | 8GB |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 8GB | — |
| iPhone 16 Pro | 8GB | 12GB |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 8GB | 12GB |
| — | — | — |
| iPhone 17 | — | 8GB |
| iPhone 17 Air (new) | — | 12GB |
| iPhone 17 Pro | — | 12GB |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | — | 12GB |
Notably, the iPhone 17 Air — Apple’s new ultra-thin model — is also getting 12GB, putting it on par with the Pro models. Only the standard iPhone 17 will stick with 8GB, likely to preserve its spot as the most affordable model in the lineup.
🧠 Why it matters: With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence requiring more system resources, 12GB of RAM helps ensure smoother multitasking, better AI performance, and future-proofing.
What’s Driving the RAM Increase?
The bump in RAM across the Pro and Air models seems directly tied to Apple’s upcoming AI features, which are expected to be memory-intensive. Features like:
- On-device language processing
- Real-time translation
- On-screen awareness
- Smart call handling
- App summarization
All of these require faster, more consistent memory access — especially if Apple intends to keep more processes offline and on-device.
In short, more RAM means these phones will be better equipped for Apple Intelligence and iOS 26 — and it may be the reason Apple is keeping the base model at 8GB, limiting its AI capabilities.
While not a household name, Fixed Focus Digital is a growing presence in Apple leaks. They were reportedly first to leak the name of the iPhone 16e, which ended up being accurate. They’re not as established as sources like Ming-Chi Kuo or Mark Gurman, but their recent info has aligned with what we’ve been hearing elsewhere.
Even Kuo predicted 12GB of RAM for the Pro models and iPhone 17 Air back in April, though he was unsure at the time whether the base iPhone 17 would follow suit.
Final Word: Bigger Memory, Bigger Potential
Apple rarely bumps iPhone RAM unless there’s a clear need — and this year, that need is AI. The move to 12GB on most models ensures future features can run smoothly and could help extend the useful life of your device.
If you want the most out of Apple Intelligence and iOS 26, skip the base model and look at the Air or Pro versions. The difference in RAM could mean faster performance and better support for the next several years.
