Only the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to have 12 GB of RAM, according to information from market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The other models launched in 2025 are expected to have 8 GB: the standard iPhone 17, Pro and the new Slim, as well as the fourth generation iPhone SE.
According to Kuo, the extra RAM in the iPhone 17 Pro Max will provide extra capacity to run Apple Intelligence features on the device itself. Another distinguishing feature of the model is expected to be a vapor chamber technology for cooling. This is expected to help the smartphone’s chip deliver more stable performance.
Meanwhile, the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup is expected to continue with the same 8GB of RAM currently found in the 15 Pro and Pro Max.
And it’s worth remembering: the iPhone 17 will only arrive in 2025. Before that, we will have the iPhone 16, to be presented on September 9th.
Apple wants exclusive features for the iPhone 17 Pro Max
For Kuo, these technical specifications reinforce that Apple will continue to differentiate its smartphones, leaving exclusive features for the more expensive models.
“The Pro Max accounts for almost 40% of units sold, which means it makes the most important contribution to revenue and profit among hardware products,” the expert writes.
Currently, the Pro and Pro Max models have more powerful chips than the standard and Plus models in the iPhone 15 line. The telescopic camera with 5x optical zoom is exclusive to the Pro Max version.
Kuo’s information runs counter to other rumours from earlier in the week, which indicated that all four iPhone 17 models (Standard, Pro, Pro Max and the new Slim ) would have 12 GB of RAM. About a month ago, leaker Ice Universe talked about 12 GB of RAM for the Pro and Pro Max models.
The iPhone 17 line is only expected to be presented in September 2025 — it will still take a while to know who got it right.
Source: GSMArena.
