While the range is expected to experience a major shake-up with the introduction of an Air model and the arrival of interesting new camera features for the Pro Max, the basic iPhone 17 is shaping up to be a device relatively similar to its predecessor.
It should certainly benefit from a larger screen, taking inspiration from the iPhone 16 Pro, which had reduced the size of its borders, but a new prediction from analyst Jeff Pu dampens the hopes of those who were expecting a model with slightly more substantial new features.
Performance at a standstill
According to the specialist, who published a research note with GF Securities, the iPhone 17 would retain the same chip as the iPhone 16, namely the good old A18 chip. Its manufacturing process would remain unchanged, still with TSMC in charge and its 3nm N3P manufacturing process.
Furthermore, the analyst predicts, as previous rumors suggested, that the iPhone 17 will be the only one in the range to retain 8GB of RAM, when all other iPhones move to 12GB.
Certainly, the A18 chip has more than enough performance for the average iPhone buyer, who just wants a smartphone that works without fuss. Furthermore, the A18 chip is one of the most powerful on the market in 2025, so it should retain very good performance.
Why is RAM important?
The question of RAM is more troublesome. Indeed, if Apple increases it on all other models, as it did earlier for its MacBook Airs, it is undoubtedly because the Cupertino company's artificial intelligence ambitions require it. Generative AI models running locally do indeed require a lot of RAM to function.
Even if Apple is struggling to deploy Apple Intelligence and convince people about its vision on the subject, the company still seems ready to increase the RAM of its models to offer a suitable experience. If Apple does decide to keep the iPhone 17 at 8GB of RAM, the question of a base iPhone that is slower in its use of generative AI will necessarily arise at launch.
Source: Mac Rumors
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