--- title: "Report: Apple Plans Significant Chip and Memory Upgrades for iPhone 18 Series" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/284059687.md" description: "The iPhone 18 series will see major hardware upgrades, with reports suggesting pricing will remain unchanged. The entire lineup will feature Apple's first self-developed chip based on the 2-nanometer process; all models will come standard with 12GB of RAM, a move with significant implications for Apple's on-device AI strategy; baseband chips and wireless modules will also be updated" datetime: "2026-04-24T22:38:12.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/284059687.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/284059687.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/284059687.md) --- # Report: Apple Plans Significant Chip and Memory Upgrades for iPhone 18 Series Apple is preparing comprehensive hardware upgrades for the iPhone 18 series, including its first 2-nanometer chip, a new generation of self-developed 5G baseband, and expanded standard memory capacity. Reports indicate that pricing will likely remain unchanged. According to media reports, **the iPhone 18 series will be equipped with Apple's first self-developed chip based on the 2-nanometer process. All models will come standard with 12GB of memory, representing a leap forward compared to current devices. Additionally, the second-generation C2 5G baseband chip is expected to be launched, potentially supporting millimeter-wave bands for the first time, alongside the introduction of a new-generation N2 wireless connectivity module.** **If these upgrades are implemented alongside a strategy of keeping prices unchanged, it would significantly strengthen Apple's competitive advantage in the mid-to-high-end smartphone market.** Given the substantial jump in hardware specifications combined with high memory prices, whether Apple can maintain price freezes remains uncertain. Guo Mingji from Tianfeng International Securities previously stated that Apple's strong profitability in services provides room to absorb cost increases, but whether prices will ultimately rise will only be revealed when the official announcement is made. ## **First 2-Nanometer Chip Debuts** The iPhone 18 series will feature Apple's first self-developed chip based on the 2-nanometer process. The standard iPhone 18 will be powered by the A20 chip, while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature the more powerful A20 Pro, continuing the differentiated chip strategy between lower and higher-tier models. Notably, even though the base model iPhone 18 may have some reductions (including a downgrade in screen specifications), Apple still plans to equip the entire lineup with the optimal core configuration, aiming to enhance the appeal of the standard model. ## **12GB Standard Memory, Full Iteration of Baseband and Wireless Connectivity** Standardizing 12GB of RAM across the lineup is one of the key highlights of this upgrade. Larger memory capacity will directly improve the smoothness of running AI instructions locally on the device, which is significant for Apple's on-device AI strategy. It will also enhance background app retention capabilities and provide ample memory resources for optimizing gaming graphics. In terms of baseband chips, Apple plans to launch the C2 as an iteration of the C1 and C1X. The C2 is expected to become Apple's first self-developed baseband chip supporting millimeter waves and will bring upgraded satellite connectivity capabilities through the New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) standard. Additionally, the new-generation N2 wireless module will make its debut with the iPhone 18 series, although the specific performance improvements over the N1 remain unclear at this time. ### Related Stocks - [TSM.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSM.US.md) - [AAPL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPL.US.md) - [XSD.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XSD.US.md) - [TSMU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSMU.US.md) - [SMH.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SMH.US.md) - [AAPX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPX.US.md) - [TSMX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSMX.US.md) - [TSMG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSMG.US.md) - [AAPU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPU.US.md) - [SOXL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SOXL.US.md) - [NXTG.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/NXTG.US.md) - [AAPB.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPB.US.md) - [SOXX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/SOXX.US.md) - [AAPD.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPD.US.md) - [AAPY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AAPY.US.md) - [APLY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/APLY.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Cadence Collaborates with TSMC to Accelerate Design of Next-Generation AI Silicon | CDNS Stock News](https://longbridge.com/en/news/283711601.md) - [Apple Has Unusual Put Options Activity - Has AAPL Stock Peaked Ahead of Earnings?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/283386749.md) - [iPhone 18 Could Come With 12GB of RAM](https://longbridge.com/en/news/284050765.md) - [Tim Cook built Apple's China era](https://longbridge.com/en/news/283459383.md) - [Here's How the iPhone Ultra Compares to Other Apple Devices](https://longbridge.com/en/news/283813410.md)