Until 2023, Apple was an exception when it came to high-end Android smartphones, retaining only 6 GB of RAM on the iPhone 14 Pro, when some competitors already had twice as much. Despite this gap, iPhone users continued to benefit from a smooth, fast interface without visible slowdowns. Apple is banking on extreme optimization of iOS to compensate for the RAM gap with the competition. However, this could be an increasingly difficult balance to maintain, given the new demands linked to artificial intelligence.
Features that use AI directly on the iPhone require more RAM to function properly. This need does not only concern Apple, since the rise of artificial intelligence is increasing the demand for RAM in many sectors.
The prices of these components have therefore increased significantly in recent months, driven by demand from AI data centers. According to a report relayed on January 19 by tipster yeux1122, certain iPhone 18 models could cost more than expected this year.
Targeted increases
According to the informant, who cites forecasts from several firms, including Citigroup, Bank of America and JP Morgan, Apple would seek to limit the impact of this inflation on its entire future range. The basic models would therefore keep a stable price, like what the standard iPhone 17 already offered last year. These are certain models with a lot of storage which would be directly targeted by a price increase.
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This is a pragmatic response to the soaring prices of DRAM and NAND memory, two components that have become much more expensive since the end of 2025. Especially since users who choose these versions are often less sensitive to the final price.
A domino effect that goes beyond Apple
This strategy remains consistent with the general approach of the market in 2026. Many manufacturers are now favoring targeted increases on higher models, in order to preserve their margin without penalizing their sales volumes. The shortage of RAM caused by the rise of AI leaves little room for maneuver.
Another element could also contribute to the increase in the final price of certain iPhone 18s. According to a report from United Daily News, the future A20 chip engraved in 2 nanometers would cost almost twice as much to produce as the current A19.
By: Keleops AG
