Image this situation: the most recent iPhone simply launched, and also you’re ready for it to be delivered to your door on the late-September launch date, however the net is already speaking about subsequent yr’s iPhone and its supposedly spectacular specs and options.
This occurred greater than as soon as lately, with the iPhone 16 being an instance. Rumors final September had already spoiled the iPhone 16’s largest design change a couple of yr earlier than Apple had an opportunity to substantiate it.
If you happen to’re a longtime iPhone person who additionally retains themselves up to date on the most recent information and rumors, such leaks wouldn’t be stunning. Apple’s work on subsequent yr’s iPhone begins even earlier than this yr’s iPhone is launched.
It’s how Apple does issues to make sure it could possibly supply the iPhone experiences it’s going after. It’s not nearly lining up suppliers to fabricate components for the brand new machine but in addition getting the software program options prepared.
Listening to from an insider that Apple is already growing iOS 19 at a time when iOS 18 isn’t even prepared is totally what you must count on from the iPhone maker. The iPhone 17 is already in growth, too, despite the fact that the iPhone 16 fashions is not going to launch till early September.
In contrast to different years, the planning of the next-gen iPhone and cell working system is perhaps extra essential than ever. And that’s all due to Apple Intelligence.
Mark Gurman talked about Apple’s next-gen working system in his Energy On publication on Bloomberg. The report focuses primarily on Apple’s AI suite unveiled at WWDC 2024. Apple Intelligence might turn into an enormous cash maker for Apple.
It’s not that Apple will cost from its AI apps and options, no less than not initially. However AI might assist Apple drive extra folks to newer gadgets, as AI options may want higher {hardware}.
The iPhone 16 is one such instance. You’ll want an iPhone 15 Professional or later to get Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. If you happen to don’t have one in all final yr’s Professionals, which means shopping for a brand new iPhone this fall. Comparable {hardware} upgrades is perhaps wanted for the Mac and iPad down the street.
It’s on this context that Gurman talked about the inner codenames for Apple’s varied working methods, together with iOS 19:
The corporate has formally begun work on 2025’s main working methods: iOS 19 (“Luck”), macOS 16 (“Cheer”), watchOS 12 (“Nepali), and visionOS 3 (“Discovery”). Now, this may occasionally appear early. In any case, this yr’s crop of software program hasn’t been launched to the general public but. However that is the standard schedule: The corporate is already growing subsequent yr’s {hardware} merchandise and desires the accompanying software program to begin testing the gadgets. That stated, it’s far too early to inform what the precise options shall be.
The important thing element on this paragraph is that Apple is growing “subsequent yr’s {hardware} merchandise.” Therefore the necessity for next-gen software program. On the subject of its best-selling product, that’s the iPhone 17 sequence. And there’s one huge motive to be enthusiastic about subsequent yr’s iPhones.
Rumors say Apple will introduce an iPhone 17 Slim/Extremely subsequent yr. That’s a flagship handset packing a thinner and slimmer physique than earlier than. After all, Apple will want time to make sure it could possibly mass-produce a tool that matches its wants.
However the true motive why growing the iPhone 17 and iOS 19 so early is thrilling considerations AI. Apple Intelligence gained’t be out there on iPhone 15 and older gadgets. These handsets function less-capable Neural Engines than the iPhone 15 Professionals and iPhone 16 fashions.
Extra importantly, the previous iPhones that may assist iOS 18 simply advantageous have as much as 6GB of RAM. Apple’s on-device AI will want no less than 8GB of reminiscence.
It’s seemingly Apple realized sooner or later final yr that each one iPhone 16 fashions would wish no less than 8GB of RAM to comfortably run Apple Intelligence options on-device. Rumors say all iPhone 16 variants will get 8GB of RAM. However Apple will seemingly not transcend that. Apple in all probability determined way back it will optimize iOS 18 and AI to run on 8GB of reminiscence. That’s, the iPhone 16 Professionals must also function simply 8GB of RAM.
With the iPhone 17, Apple can make sure the 2025 iPhones have the correct {hardware} to run as many present and future options of Apple Intelligence on-device as attainable.
If which means bumping up the RAM considerably to future-proof these gadgets, such a call could possibly be made as quickly as Apple chooses the AI options to construct into iOS 19. Put otherwise, Apple may resolve the iPhone 17 specs sooner or later within the coming months.
I’m not saying the iPhone 17 sequence will want an enormous RAM bump for iOS 19 and future software program updates. But when they did, Apple would have loads of time to make sure they get the correct specs upgrades and line up suppliers to mass-produce them in acceptable portions come 2025.