The Next Mobile War: The Secret Weapon of the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26

The battle for the best smartphone of 2025 won't be about cameras or displays, but about RAM. A massive leak reveals Samsung and Apple's plans, and the reason is bigger than you think: artificial intelligence in your pocket.

The annual competition between Samsung and Apple is about to enter a decisive new phase. Although the launch of their next flagships, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17, is still months away, a series of credible leaks has revealed what appears to be the next big technological battleground: an unprecedented upgrade in RAM. However, this isn't a simple spec bump to improve multitasking; it's a strategic arms race to dominate the era of on-device artificial intelligence (AI).

According to reports based on data from research firm Macquarie Research, Samsung is planning an aggressive push for its Galaxy S26 series. The leak suggests that all models in the range—the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra—will come with 16GB of RAM.

This is a radical change. Until now, such a high amount of RAM was reserved exclusively for the most expensive versions of the Ultra model, and only in select markets like South Korea and China. Standardizing 16GB of RAM across the entire global S26 lineup would be a statement of intent, positioning Samsung as the undisputed leader in raw power and future-proofing.

Apple, traditionally more conservative with RAM figures thanks to the optimization of its operating system, also appears to be preparing for a significant jump. The same sources indicate that the iPhone 17 series, expected in September, could offer up to 12GB of RAM in its models.

This would represent a 50% increase over the 8GB of RAM found in the current generation of iPhones. While 12GB may seem less than Samsung's 16GB, for the Apple ecosystem it would be a massive improvement, especially for professional users who use their devices for intensive tasks like 4K video editing and heavy-duty apps.

"Both companies are preparing to play a big game when it comes to RAM to enable a tremendous boost in AI capabilities, multitasking, and performance."

This drastic increase in RAM isn't just about having more tabs open in your browser. The real reason is on-device AI.

Until now, many of the most powerful AI features, such as those in ChatGPT, have been run in the cloud, which requires an internet connection and can raise privacy and latency concerns. The future of personal AI, however, lies in operations being performed directly on the phone. This allows for:

• Instant answers: No delays due to internet connection.
• Greater privacy: Your personal data doesn't have to leave your device to be processed.
• Offline functionality: The AI ​​assistant works even when you are offline.

For these complex language models and AI algorithms to run smoothly and efficiently directly on the phone's hardware, a huge amount of RAM is required. More RAM means the device can handle more powerful and sophisticated AI models, like Samsung's Galaxy AI, without slowing down or draining the battery.

The competition is no longer just about having the best processor, like Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon or Apple's A-series chip. The battle is now about offering the smartest, most useful, and most personal AI assistant. Samsung appears to be taking the lead with a more aggressive hardware push, seeking to strengthen its position against Chinese brands that already offer up to 24GB of RAM in some of their models.

Apple, for its part, relies on the integration of its hardware and software to deliver a polished and secure AI experience. The increase to 12GB of RAM is an acknowledgment that, to compete, it needs more firepower.

The smartphone war of 2025 won't be decided by megapixels, but by intelligence. And RAM is the fuel that will power the AI ​​armies that both tech giants are preparing to deploy in your pocket.