Recent reports indicate that Apple's upcoming flagship phone, the iPhone17 series, is expected to feature 12GB of RAM, providing ample space for deploying larger-scale on-device AI models.
Currently, the iPhone15Pro series and iPhone16 series, equipped with 8GB of RAM, are already struggling to handle current AI models. Facing future models with potentially 7 billion or even higher parameters, the existing memory capacity will be insufficient. The lack of memory capacity has a devastating impact on the deployment of large on-device models, while insufficient AI computing power merely results in slower operation speeds.
According to data from chip manufacturers, a large model with 13 billion parameters requires at least 5GB of memory space, even with advanced compression techniques. With system and resident applications occupying space, 8GB of RAM is hard-pressed to provide enough runtime space for such large models, let alone running other applications or games.
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In contrast, the 12GB RAM configuration appears more than adequate, providing ample deployment space for larger-scale models. It is reported that Apple currently deploys a 3 billion parameter model on-device, and 8GB of RAM is still sufficient. However, in the long run, as AI technology continues to advance, larger memory capacities will become an inevitable trend.
This anticipated upgrade of the iPhone17 series is not only a proactive response to the development of AI technology but also a precise grasp of future smartphone market trends. For consumers looking to experience more advanced AI features, waiting for the release of the iPhone17 is undoubtedly worthwhile.
As AI technology continues to advance and expand its application scenarios, the memory capacity of smartphones will become one of the key indicators of their performance. The 12GB RAM configuration of the iPhone17 series heralds a new wave of technological innovation in the smartphone market, leading us towards a smarter future.