iPhone 16 season is upon us, but supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo already has his eye on the iPhone 17 cycle. The researcher’s latest details show how the iPhone 17 Pro Max will outperform the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup next fall, including the iPhone 17 Pro, when next year’s models launch. AI, of course, is the reason for the extra clout of the Pro Max model in late 2025.
RAM increase
First of all, Kuo expects the iPhone 17 Pro Max to have 12GB of RAM in 2025. This is comparable to the 8GB of RAM in the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to have 8GB of RAM across the board.
According to Kuo, the standard iPhone 17 Pro won’t have the same RAM upgrade. Apple often releases new camera features on the Pro Max before introducing them on the Pro, but this would be the first time RAM makes a difference.
Maximum cooling system
More multitasking capabilities mean more heat generation. For this reason, Kuo believes Apple will introduce a new vapor chamber cooling system on the iPhone.
This system, which will not be available until 2025 on the iPhone 17 Pro Max, will work with the graphite plate cooling technology used in iPhones today.
Maximum segmentation
Why are these changes targeted at the Pro Max model and not the rest of the lineup? The Pro Max has its advantages with more interior space. Its premium price allows Apple to try out more cutting-edge technology before shrinking it down and putting it in more units.
In this case, Apple will market the iPhone 17 Pro Max as the most powerful iPhone for handling AI tasks as Apple Intelligence advances. Presumably, the iPhone 18 Pro will be targeted in 2026 with a jump in RAM and a new cooling system, but Kuo makes no predictions.
However, Kuo estimates that Pro Max models will account for nearly two out of every five new iPhone models sold.
9to5Mac’s opinion
This move would also provide Apple with an indirect strategy to monetize its AI efforts.
Although Apple Intelligence is available for free on compatible Apple devices, it is good for Apple’s bottom line to save the best performance and features for the most expensive hardware.
When Apple unveils the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models on September 9, we expect the smaller phone to feature the same 5x zoom that the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduced. As the smaller Pro catches up with the Pro Max each year, Apple will continue to find new ways to push the technology further in the larger and more expensive device.
And yes, Kuo also expects the ultra-thin version of the iPhone 17 to ship with 8GB of RAM like the 16 series and the rumored SE 4. A true example of form over function.
And now to the real question: Will Apple still sell Macs with 8 GB of RAM as standard when even the iPhone ships with 12 GB in 2025?
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