Tag: DigiTimes

  • Apple iPhone 18 Gets 50% More RAM, Surprising Price

    Apple iPhone 18 Gets 50% More RAM, Surprising Price

    Key Takeaway

    – iPhone 17 base model has only 8 GB RAM, excluding it from running Apple’s new AI features.
    – iPhone 18 base model is expected to upgrade to 12 GB RAM, matching higher-end models.
    – Apple reportedly will not raise the base iPhone 18 price despite rising memory costs.
    – Base iPhone 18 launch delayed until spring 2027, while Pro models launch in September.

    The Apple iPhone 17 ($747 on Amazon) has only 8 GB of RAM, while the iPhone 17 Pro (Max) and the iPhone Air come with 12 GB of RAM. This means that Apple’s new AI model only runs on the more expensive models. In iOS 27, this model is primarily required for the more natural language of the completely revamped Siri AI assistant, but is likely to be necessary for additional AI features in the future. Apple is expected to eliminate this drawback of the base model in the iPhone 18.

    Memory Upgrade for the Next Generation

    As reported by DigiTimes, the next-generation base iPhone model is set to receive an upgrade from 8 GB to 12 GB of RAM. This lends credibility to earlier rumours. What is suprising, however, is that Apple is not expected to raise the price of the base model despite the DRAM crisis and the 50 percent increase in RAM. If this information is correct, the iPhone 18 with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash storage will launch in the U.S. for $799 and in Europe for €949.

    Cost Absorption and Competitive Positioning

    Apple is expected to absorb the rising production costs caused by more expensive DRAM and NAND memory itself, rather than passing them on to customers, which would allow the iPhone 18 series to be positioned significantly better against the competition. However, the base model is expected to be at a disadvantage in at least one respect. While the iPhone 18 Pro (Max) and the iPhone Ultra are set to be unveiled in September, the launch of the iPhone 18 is not expected until spring 2027. Aside from a new processor and more RAM, no major upgrades are expected.

    • iPhone 18 base model: 12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, $799 / €949
    • iPhone 18 Pro (Max) and Ultra launch in September 2026
    • iPhone 18 base model launching in spring 2027
    • No price increase expected despite higher DRAM costs

    Competitive Landscape and Timelines

    DigiTimes, via MacRumors, indicates that the base model will lag behind its siblings in terms of release timing. This staggered launch strategy could frustrate consumers who prefer the more affordable option but do not want to wait until spring of 2027. It also gives competitors a chance to release their own devices with comparable specs months before Apple’s entry-level phone arrives. The Pro models will likely feature even more advanced camera systems and possibly a new design, but these details remain unofficial for now.

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  • Apple Watch Ultra 4: New Design and Sensor Upgrades

    Apple Watch Ultra 4: New Design and Sensor Upgrades

    Key Takeaway

    – Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to receive a complete redesign and major sensor upgrades.
    – Design changes are anticipated to be so drastic that Ultra sales could rise 20–30%.
    – Sensor count is expected to double with improved energy efficiency; possible longer battery life.






    Apple Watch Ultra 4 Rumors

    Bloomberg reported in March that the Apple Watch Series 12 would receive hardly any new features, but a fresh DigiTimes tale suggests that Apple’s flagship smartwatch will indeed get two major upgrades. The report claims the successor to the Apple Watch Ultra 3 ($776 on Amazon) will sport a full redesign, which would mark a notable shift for the high-end line. The source adds nothing concrete about the Ultra 4’s appearance, yet says the drastic changes could spark a 20 to 30 percent bump in sales.

    Design overhaul and sensor ambitions

    For the first time since the original Apple Watch Ultra landed in September 2022, Apple might overhaul the top model’s physique. DigiTimes stays mum on precise visuals for the Ultra 4, but insists the changes are so substantial that demand could surge. On top of the new look, Apple is rumored to push big sensor upgrades, with a plan to double the sensor count and push energy efficiency higher, potentially extending battery life. It remains unclear if Apple will simply add more photodiodes to sharpen data like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring while burning less power, or if entirely new features are in the cards.

    Health data, efficiency, and expectations

    The chatter hints that higher accuracy for high blood pressure alerts—an improvement tied to watchOS 26 on Series 9 and newer—could arrive, yet a real blood pressure measurement feature similar to Huawei’s Watch D2 seems unlikely this year. Likewise, blood glucose monitoring is not clearly planned, even as Apple is said to be exploring both capabilities. In short, the Ultra 4 could blend improved health sensing with better efficiency, without guaranteeing a full suite of new medical readings in 2024.


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