Apple closes memory gap with Samsung Galaxy phones

For years, Samsung’s Galaxy phones had more RAM than Apple’s iPhones, giving them an edge in handling apps and tasks. But Apple has been catching up, and the gap is now much smaller.

Back when top Android phones had just 4GB of RAM, iPhones lagged behind. Now, 12GB is the standard for high-end Android devices like the Galaxy S25, which has 12GB across its models, though a 16GB version of the S25 Ultra was available only in Korea.

Apple boosted its iPhone 16e to 8GB to support Apple Intelligence, its AI feature, and plans to equip all iPhone 17 models with 12GB this September. Samsung is set to increase RAM in its Galaxy S26 series to 16GB next year, but Apple’s move to 12GB for the iPhone 17 keeps them close.

This shows Apple’s focus on matching rivals while optimizing its software to need less memory. More RAM matters for AI-heavy phones, as it helps run complex features smoothly. Apple’s push to 12GB ensures its iPhones can handle future AI upgrades.

While Samsung may still lead slightly with 16GB in 2026, the memory difference won’t be as big as it once was. Apple’s steady RAM increases prove it’s serious about competing with Android giants like Samsung, making iPhones stronger for multitasking and AI tasks.