The 2027 iPhone may introduce advanced AI memory technology

According to the Korean media ETNews, in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple is developing a number of technical innovations, one of which is the "Mobile HBM".

HBM is an advanced DRAM technology that stacks memory chips vertically through "silicon holes" (TSVs), significantly improving signal transmission speed. This technology is currently widely used in AI servers, so it is often called "AI memory" and can be used with GPU to support large-scale AI computing.

The so-called "mobile HBM" is an HBM variant designed for mobile devices such as mobile phones. Its goal is to reduce power consumption and memory chip area while maintaining high data transfer rates. To improve device-side AI capabilities. The report notes that Apple is considering integrating Mobile HBM with iPhone GPU unit as a powerful option to achieve this goal.

This technology is expected to bring the iPhone the ability to operate large AI models locally, such as recommending large language models or performing high-level visual tasks, and combining low power consumption and low latency.

The report also mentioned that Apple may have been in talks with major memory suppliers, such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, about cooperation directions. Both companies are currently developing their respective versions of Mobile HBM; Samsung adopts packaging technology called VCS (Vertical Cu-post Stack), while SK Hynix has developed a VFO (Vertical wire Fan-Out) solution, both of which are expected to be produced in 2026.

However, Mobile HBM still faces challenges in the process, including manufacturing costs that are far higher than current LPDDR memory and hot issues, especially for thin devices like iPhones. 3D stacking and TSV packaging also require highly mature process and yield control.

If Apple's iPhone finally adopts this technology in 2027, it will become a highlight of its promotion of the innovation of the iPhone 20th anniversary; another highlight is that the model will also be equipped with a four-sided frameless screen design.

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