In what might come as a surprise, especially given Apple's ballooning memory-related costs, the A20 Pro chip that is slated to power the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will likely use the cutting-edge 96-bit LPDDR6, departing from the 64-bit bandwidth that Apple has used for around 13 years now.
Apple's A20 Pro chip that powers the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is apparently eschewing a 64-bit LPDDR5X for a 96-bit LPDDR6
While leveraging the scoop provided by Reptalica, the tipster INIYSA noted recently that the A20 Pro chip appeared to be moving away from the 64-bit memory bandwidth that Apple has used for around 13 years now, opting for a 96-bit bandwidth instead.
Then, Reptalica further clarified that the A20 Pro apparently leverages a 96-bit 8533 LPDDR5X, leading to a total bandwidth of 102GB/s.
This then prompted the tipster @SPYGO19726 to chime in, noting that a 96-bit LPDDR5X RAM would be "15-20% larger than 64 bit," while the "LPDDR6 offers 96 bit in the same dimension as a 64 Bit LPDDR5X." Given the fact that the leaked A20 Pro schematics do not show a meaningfully larger DRAM, it is very likely that Apple's upcoming apex iPhone chip will leverage an LPDDR6 RAM.
Of course, given the renewed importance that Apple is placing on its revamped Siri and Apple Intelligence framework, which leverages a combo of on-device and cloud-based AI models, a transition to a 96-bit RAM makes eminent sense.
This also then places Apple's weird cost-cutting on flash storage within an appropriate context. As we noted recently, while the 256GB and 512GB variants of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max use a TLC NAND, the 1TB and 2TB variants are doubling down on the slower QLC NAND in an apparent attempt to save on costs.
Do note that Apple's DRAM-related costs are expected to surge to $145 for each iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, up from just $39 for the iPhone 17 Pro duo. Critically though, these estimates assume a 12GB LPDDR5X RAM. If, however, Apple is planning to use the more costly LPDDR6 RAM in the upcoming Pro duo, its memory-related costs will rise further still, which explains why the tech giant is trying to pinch pennies on the NAND.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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