Apple A20 Pro could bring a major memory upgrade to iPhone 18 Pro with 96-bit LPDDR6 RAM
Apple’s next major iPhone chip upgrade could be more significant than expected. A new rumor suggests that the A20 Pro, expected to power the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, may move away from the 64-bit memory bus Apple has used for roughly 13 years and adopt a wider 96-bit memory interface.
If accurate, this would mark one of the biggest memory architecture changes for Apple’s iPhone chips in over a decade. The shift from 64-bit to 96-bit would represent a 50% increase in memory bus width, potentially delivering a major boost in bandwidth for demanding tasks such as on-device AI, advanced Siri features, gaming, image processing, and local large language models.
The A20 Pro may use 96-bit LPDDR6 memory instead of LPDDR5X
Early discussion around the A20 Pro suggested that Apple could use a 96-bit LPDDR5X memory setup running at 8533 Mbps, which would provide around 102GB/s of total memory bandwidth. That alone would be a strong improvement over current iPhone memory configurations.
However, another claim suggests Apple may instead use LPDDR6 memory. The reason is size efficiency. A 96-bit LPDDR5X setup would reportedly require a noticeably larger memory package than a 64-bit design. LPDDR6, on the other hand, could allow Apple to deliver a 96-bit memory bus in a package similar in size to a 64-bit LPDDR5X setup.
That detail is important because leaked A20 Pro schematics reportedly do not show a major increase in DRAM size. If the physical memory footprint remains similar, LPDDR6 becomes the more likely candidate.
Why a 96-bit memory bus matters for iPhone 18 Pro
A wider memory bus allows more data to move between the chip and memory at the same time. For everyday users, that can mean faster app performance, smoother multitasking, better gaming stability, and improved handling of high-resolution camera features.
The biggest benefit, however, may come from artificial intelligence. Apple is placing more focus on Apple Intelligence and a more capable Siri experience, with a mix of cloud-based and on-device AI processing. On-device AI models are often limited by memory bandwidth, especially when running local language models and complex machine learning tasks.
A 96-bit memory interface could help the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max process AI workloads more efficiently without relying as heavily on remote servers. This would also support Apple’s privacy-focused AI strategy, where more tasks are handled directly on the device.
Apple’s memory costs may rise sharply
The rumored upgrade would not come cheap. Apple’s DRAM costs for the iPhone 18 Pro series are expected to rise significantly compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models. Some estimates suggest memory-related costs could climb to around $145 per unit, compared with roughly $39 for the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
Those estimates are reportedly based on 12GB of LPDDR5X memory. If Apple moves to LPDDR6 instead, costs could rise even further. LPDDR6 is newer, faster, and more expensive, especially in the early stages of adoption.
This may explain why Apple is reportedly looking for savings elsewhere in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Storage choices may help offset higher RAM costs
Recent claims suggest Apple could use TLC NAND storage for the 256GB and 512GB iPhone 18 Pro models, while the higher-capacity 1TB and 2TB versions may use QLC NAND.
TLC NAND is generally faster and more durable, while QLC NAND offers higher storage density at a lower cost. By using QLC NAND in larger storage models, Apple may be trying to reduce expenses and balance out the higher cost of upgraded memory.
That strategy would make more sense if the A20 Pro is truly moving to a more advanced LPDDR6 memory configuration. In other words, Apple may be prioritizing AI and system performance while cutting costs in storage where it believes most users will notice less of a difference.
A major step for Apple’s Pro iPhones
If the rumor proves accurate, the A20 Pro could be a major leap for Apple’s mobile chip design. A 96-bit LPDDR6 memory bus would improve bandwidth, strengthen on-device AI performance, and prepare the iPhone 18 Pro lineup for increasingly demanding software features.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still far from launch, so details may change before release. Still, the possibility of Apple finally moving beyond its long-running 64-bit memory bus suggests that the company is preparing for a new generation of AI-focused iPhone performance.
