New 5.5-inch iPhone to Get 3GB of RAM, 256GB Storage Option [Report]

Following a report claiming that Apple will finally offer 32GB of storage in its base model iPhones, a new report from TrendForce claims that the larger 5.5-inch iPhone will be getting 3GB of RAM and a 256GB storage option.

Apple will hold on to LPDDR4 and the 5.5-inch model of iPhone 7 will be first in the series to carry 3GB of memory. As the latest generation of mobile DRAM, LPDDR4 will continue to serve the iPhone 7 as it did for iPhone 6s. In terms of memory density, the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 will be the first in series to have 3GB of memory in the form of four stacked 6Gb mono-die modules. The additional memory is used to process the images taken from the dual-camera. On the other hand, the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 will stick with 2GB.

A steep drop in prices for NAND Flash is reportedly contributing to Apple's decision to boost storage capacities. TrendForce suggests the 64GB option may even be replaced with a 128GB option.


Consumers’ demand for expanded device storage has also risen significantly in recent years on account of the increasing app sizes. Hence, Apple is likely to make changes to the storage options for iPhone 7. The 64GB version, which has been the most popular option in previous generations, may be discontinued and replaced by the 128GB version, though this decision has yet to be finalized. On the other hand, Apple is certain to raise the maximum storage option to 256GB so that iPhone 7 will have the highest NAND Flash density of the entire series.

As previously rumored, TrendForce predicts a dual lens camera for the 5.5-inch iPhone but no significant display upgrades. A move to an AMOLED display is expected down the line.

Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates ahead of Apple's next generation iPhone unveiling this fall.