New reports have revealed a major shift in Apple’s strategy for its upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, as the company prepares to introduce a new generation of processors — the A20 series — alongside enhanced specifications for the standard model and advanced satellite connectivity features.
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According to the South Korean research firm The Bell, the base iPhone 18 will come with 12GB of RAM, matching the memory capacity that has so far been exclusive to Apple’s Pro models.
Performance Boost
This marks the first time in Apple’s history that it has narrowed the performance gap between its standard and Pro iPhone variants, especially in terms of memory and system optimization.
The upgraded RAM will be paired with next-generation LPDDR5X memory featuring a 6-channel architecture, offering higher bandwidth, greater power efficiency, and improved overall performance.
Sources indicate that this upgrade is necessary to support the expanding suite of Apple Intelligence AI features, which require increased processing power and memory. These include live translation, visual intelligence, and significant improvements to Siri’s capabilities.
For users, the move to 12GB of RAM across all iPhone 18 models is expected to address a long-standing complaint about Apple’s base iPhones being limited by “artificial memory constraints,” which often caused apps to reload frequently and drained the battery faster. Analysts believe this update will lead to a smoother and more efficient user experience.
While some supply chain reports suggest Apple might reconsider this upgrade if component availability becomes an issue, most insiders expect 12GB of RAM to become the new standard for all iPhones starting in 2026, keeping Apple competitive in a market where higher memory capacities are becoming the norm.
Satellite-Enabled Mobile Connectivity
Leaks also suggest that certain models of the iPhone 18 lineup, particularly the Pro and Pro Max, will feature full 5G satellite connectivity.
According to a report by The Information, Apple plans to enable direct satellite-based 5G mobile service on its upcoming devices as soon as possible.
This functionality may also extend to the rumored iPhone Fold, while the standard iPhone 18 could receive it later — potentially by March 2027.
Although current iPhones already support limited satellite features such as Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite, these services require clear sky visibility and are restricted in scope.
The report also speculated that Apple may collaborate with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to leverage its Starlink satellite network, given that Starlink recently began supporting the same radio frequency bands used by smartphones for satellite communication.
Apple first introduced satellite connectivity in 2022 through a $10 billion partnership with Globalstar, but renewed cooperation with SpaceX could signal a broader expansion of Apple’s satellite strategy.
Revolutionary A20 Chip Technology
The iPhone 18 lineup is also expected to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 and A20 Pro chips, manufactured by TSMC using its cutting-edge 2-nanometer process.
According to a post on the Chinese platform Weibo, the A20 chip will power the standard iPhone 18, while the A20 Pro will be reserved for the Pro models and the foldable version.
This transition from the 3nm chips (A17 Pro–A19 Pro) to 2nm represents a significant leap in both performance and energy efficiency.
Additionally, some A20 variants are expected to integrate RAM directly onto the system-on-chip (SoC), reducing physical size and boosting computational efficiency, according to a report by Bloomberg.
With these advancements — a major RAM boost, full satellite capabilities, and a next-gen processor — the iPhone 18 could mark one of Apple’s most significant technological leaps in years, signaling a new era of AI-driven, always-connected smartphones.
