Apple is preparing a comprehensive hardware upgrade for its iPhone 18 series, which will include the company's first 2-nanometer chip, a new self-developed 5G modem, and a standard memory expansion, while reportedly maintaining current pricing levels.
According to reports, the iPhone 18 lineup will feature Apple's inaugural self-designed chip based on a 2nm process. All models will come standard with 12GB of RAM, representing a significant leap over current devices. The series will also introduce a second-generation C2 5G modem chip, expected to support mmWave frequencies for the first time, alongside a new N2 wireless connectivity module.
Should these upgrades coincide with an unchanged pricing strategy, Apple's competitive position in the mid-to-high-end smartphone market would be substantially strengthened.
With such a major hardware leap and high memory prices, it remains uncertain whether Apple can sustain a price freeze. Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities previously indicated that the strong profitability of Apple's services business provides room to absorb cost increases, but a final decision on pricing will only be confirmed at the official launch.
**Debut of First 2nm Chip** The iPhone 18 series will be equipped with Apple's first self-developed chip utilizing a 2nm manufacturing process.
The standard iPhone 18 will feature the A20 chip, while the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will use the more powerful A20 Pro, continuing the chip differentiation strategy between base and premium models.
Notably, even though the base iPhone 18 may see reductions in certain areas, such as display specifications, Apple plans to equip the entire series with the optimal core configuration to enhance the appeal of the standard model.
**12GB RAM Standard, Full Modem and Wireless Iteration** A standard 12GB of RAM across the lineup is a core highlight of this upgrade.
The increased memory capacity will directly improve the smoothness of running AI commands locally on the device, which is substantively important for the on-device AI strategy. It will also enhance the retention of background applications and provide more memory resources for optimizing gaming graphics.
Regarding the modem chip, Apple plans to introduce the C2 as the successor to the C1 and C1X. The C2 is expected to be Apple's first self-developed modem to support mmWave and will bring upgraded satellite connectivity capabilities through the New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks standard.
Additionally, a new N2 wireless network module will debut with the iPhone 18 series, though the specific performance improvements over the N1 are not yet fully clear to the market.
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