Apple’s standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e, expected in spring 2027, might not support two major Siri AI features as they likely won’t meet the required 12GB RAM threshold, a capability reserved for the Pro and foldable models equipped with more memory.
- iPhone 18 and 18e likely limited to 9GB RAM, below 12GB required for advanced Siri AI.
- Advanced Dictation Preview and Expressive Siri voices tied to Apple’s AFM Core Advanced model.
- Pro and rumored foldable iPhone 18 models to retain 12GB RAM and richer AI features.
What happened
Apple is preparing to release its new iPhone 18 lineup, with the Pro and Pro Max models launching likely this fall and the standard iPhone 18 and 18e models arriving in spring 2027. According to industry analysis, the lower-end iPhone 18 and 18e will be equipped with 9GB of RAM, an increase from the current 8GB but still short of the 12GB required to support certain advanced Siri AI functions.
The Advanced Dictation Preview and new Expressive Siri voices rely on Apple's AFM Core Advanced hardware model, which processes AI tasks locally on devices with at least 12GB of RAM. This means the standard models will miss out on these features, which improve speech recognition accuracy and provide more natural voice interactions.
Why it matters
This RAM-driven differentiation establishes a clear functional divide between Apple's Pro-tier smartphones and the standard models. Consumers who value cutting-edge Siri capabilities and AI-driven voice interactions may be pushed toward purchasing higher-margin Pro models, which also come with increased pricing amid rising component costs, including a roughly $200 expected price increase.
Furthermore, Apple’s efforts to mitigate a global RAM supply crunch—potentially through sourcing from China’s CXMT—illustrate the wider challenges facing tech companies in delivering advanced AI features across all product tiers. The standard iPhone variants missing these features could affect market perceptions and adoption of voice AI enhancements within Apple’s ecosystem.
What to watch next
Apple has not officially confirmed the full details of the iPhone 18 lineup or the feature split tied to RAM capacity. Observers should watch for official announcements regarding hardware specifications and Siri feature availability as the fall event approaches, along with confirmation of pricing and launch timing for the spring 2027 models.
Additionally, it will be important to monitor how Apple manages component sourcing and supply chain dynamics, as these factors could influence future product capabilities and pricing strategies. The reception to this tiered AI feature approach within the iPhone ecosystem will also shape Apple’s strategy for integrating AI advancements across its devices.