Apple is preparing to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup at its upcoming “Awe Dropping” event on September 9, and speculation about the devices is already building. Industry analysts from TrendForce suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air may come with 12GB of RAM, while the standard iPhone 17 is likely to remain at 8GB.
Why This Matters
If the reports prove accurate, this would be the first time Apple has gone beyond 8GB of memory in its smartphones. The jump could offer smoother multitasking, more seamless gaming experiences, and improved performance for Apple Intelligence features. Still, the extent of the real-world benefits will depend on how third-party apps make use of the extra memory.
Powering Up with A19 Chips and Larger Storage
The entire iPhone 17 range is expected to be powered by Apple’s new A19 processors. The base iPhone 17 and the slimmer iPhone 17 Air will likely run on the standard A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models are rumored to feature the more advanced A19 Pro.
Storage capacity may also see a boost. Reports indicate that the Air, Pro, and Pro Max will start with 256GB of storage, offering more breathing room for apps, photos, and media. By contrast, the base iPhone 17 is expected to retain more modest specs, aligning closely with the previous iPhone 16 in both RAM and entry-level storage.
A Competitive Response to Samsung
Apple’s decision to strengthen the iPhone 17 Air could be a deliberate move to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge. Samsung has positioned the Edge as both slim and powerful, and Apple may be aiming to challenge that reputation directly with a sleeker but equally capable Air model.
What’s Next
While earlier leaks suggested all four iPhone 17 models might include 12GB of RAM, the latest predictions indicate the upgrade will be limited to the Pro and Air. With Apple’s official event just days away, it won’t be long before customers learn which of these rumors come true.