Current-generation chipsets, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, support on-device AI capabilities, and successive SoCs will expand on those feature sets. However, there is plenty of room for improvement in the specifications category, and on-device AI has demanding storage and RAM requirements. However, one research firm argues that due to the lack of compelling content that AI can create at this time, it makes less sense for Samsung and Apple to integrate a high RAM count on the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16, not to mention the rising semiconductor prices.
Future iPhones and Android handsets will be required to feature high amounts of storage and RAM to support on-device AI
As smartphone chipsets start getting mass manufactured using cutting-edge processes such as TSMC’s 3nm ‘N3E,’ their prices will continue to rise. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is already rumored to be more expensive than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with next year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 said to be Qualcomm’s most priciest SoC ever. With these increasing costs, Mizuho Securities predicts that phone makers such as Samsung and Apple will take a conservative approach, with the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 reportedly taking a backseat when it comes to an upgraded memory configuration.
In addition to rising semiconductor prices, Revegnus’ post on X talking about Mizuho Securities’ prediction mentions that the lack of compelling content generated by on-device AI means that manufacturers might not be encouraged enough to give the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 16 a high RAM count. With the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has already been rumored to limit its upcoming lineup to 12GB RAM, with the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra being offered in this configuration only.
Mizuho Securities: Increasing memory capacity is crucial for on-device AI. However, due to the anticipated steep rise in memory semiconductor prices next year and the lack of killer content for on-device AI, smartphone manufacturers are expected to take a conservative approach…
— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) December 9, 2023
With the iPhone 16, Apple will likely retain the ‘Pro’ models at 8GB RAM, but the company is also reported to add noteworthy microphone upgrades to help improve speech input for Siri and other artificial intelligence-generated content (AIGC). Besides high RAM requirements, on-device AI will also be a storage guzzler, requiring around 15 percent or more onboard memory for running millions of operations.
Samsung has been rumored to be working on a new UFS 4.0 flash storage designed to run such applications, but it is not confirmed if this technology will debut in the Galaxy S24 family. In short, there are conflicting reports regarding the future of AI-powered smartphones, but we will soon learn more about this development as the new year starts, so stay tuned.
Alex Mitchell is your go-to expert for all things mobile. With a passion for the latest smartphones, apps, and mobile innovations, Alex provides in-depth reviews, insightful analyses, and breaking news about the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Stay connected with Alex to navigate the fast-paced realm of mobile devices.
