The much-discussed, ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air model could be packing more power than initially anticipated, potentially blurring the lines with Apple’s Pro lineup. According to the latest supply chain analysis from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air won’t just be slimmer than its standard counterpart; it’s now expected to boast a significant 12GB of RAM.
This suggests the Air model might offer near Pro-level performance, moving beyond just a thinner design aesthetic and marking a notable hardware upgrade previously thought exclusive to the highest-tier models.
Kuo’s updated forecast expands this RAM boost across more of the 2025 lineup than previously predicted. Initially, only the top-end iPhone 17 Pro Max was expected to receive 12GB of RAM. However, Kuo now believes both the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 17 Pro will join the Pro Max in featuring 12GB of memory. This potential upgrade across three key models represents good news for customers considering options beyond the most expensive device in the anticipated iPhone 17 series, offering enhanced capabilities further down the range.
There’s even a chance the standard base-model iPhone 17 could see this generous 12GB RAM configuration, although uncertainty remains. Kuo indicates this upgrade for the entry model hinges on whether Apple can successfully navigate potential supply chain shortages for the necessary memory components.
Apple is reportedly set to make a final decision regarding the base model’s RAM capacity by May, depending on supply availability, leaving the door open for a potential lineup-wide standardisation at 12GB if conditions allow.
This potential leap to 12GB RAM across several iPhone 17 models marks a substantial increase from the current generation. All models in the existing iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and even the iPhone 16e, are equipped with 8GB of RAM. This 8GB configuration currently serves as the baseline for enabling Apple Intelligence features, which is why the iPhone 15 Pro models support the AI suite while the 6GB RAM iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not.
An increase to 12GB would significantly enhance multitasking capabilities and overall system performance, particularly benefiting the increasingly demanding on-device processing required for current and future Apple Intelligence functions.
