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Apple doesn't list RAM specifications for the iPad mini and Apple TV 4K, but Xcode does. The device data in the developer environment now shows the values for both new devices, and both have significantly improved. For the iPhone Duo, Xcode confirms what the initial benchmark suggested..
MacRumors has extracted the device specifications from Xcode 27.2. Xcode lists the new iPad mini with the A20 Pro chip as having 12 GB of RAM, and the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with the A19 chip as having 8 GB. The iPhone Duo is also listed with 12 GB. Apple itself does not specify the RAM in the specifications of either new device.
Apple unveiled the iPad mini with A20 Pro and OLED display on October 26th, and the Apple TV 4K with A19 for €349 on October 13th. The iPad mini will be available in stores on November 6th, and the Apple TV 4K on November 13th.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Xcode 27.2 introduces the new iPad mini with 12 GB of RAM, 4 GB more than its predecessor with A17 Pro.
- According to Xcode, the Apple TV 4K with A19 has 8 GB of RAM, double that of the model with A15.
- The iPad mini has the same amount of RAM as the iPad Air, which Apple specifies as having 12 GB.
- Xcode confirmed 12 GB for the iPhone Duo, while Geekbench reported 11.30 GB.
Comparison of values from Xcode
| Device | Chip | RAM according to Xcode | Predecessor | RAM predecessor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini | A20 Pro | 12 GB | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | 8 GB |
| Apple TV 4K (4th generation) | A19 | 8 GB | Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, A15) | 4 GB |
| iPhone Duo | A20 Pro | 12 GB | – | – |
Apple never officially disclosed the previous specifications. The 4 GB of RAM for the 2022 Apple TV 4K was listed in the release candidate version of Xcode 14.1, while the 8 GB of RAM for the iPad mini with A17 Pro was shown in a Geekbench entry in 2024.
iPad mini: on par with the iPad Air
With 12 GB of RAM, the iPad mini has caught up with the 11-inch iPad Air. Apple itself specifies 12 GB for the iPad Air with the M4 chip; this figure was previously missing for the smaller model.
Apple differentiates the iPad mini's chip based on storage capacity: the 128GB and 256GB models have five CPU cores, while the 512GB model has six. The predecessor with the A17 Pro chip had six CPU cores in every storage size – one of the areas where the generational change for the iPad mini isn't entirely an improvement. The iPad mini with the A20 Pro also features an OLED display, IP67 water resistance, and a 5.4mm thickness – in these aspects, the new iPad mini clearly surpasses its predecessor.
Apple TV 4K: twice as much as its predecessor
The Apple TV 4K sees a bigger leap in RAM. It goes from 4 GB in the A15 model to 8 GB in the A19. Image quality remains largely unchanged; the main new feature is the AV1 video codec. The generational upgrade from A15 to A19 brings more significant improvements in processing power, wireless connectivity, microphones, and surround sound.
The Apple TV 4K with A19 chip is now only available with 128GB of storage, Ethernet, and Thread. Apple does not offer a cheaper 64GB Wi-Fi version like its predecessor.
iPhone Duo: Xcode confirms the Geekbench score
For the iPhone Duo, the RAM was previously only visible in the first Geekbench entry. This showed 11.30 GB, which corresponds to a 12 GB module, a portion of which the system reserves. Xcode now lists the device with exactly 12 GB.
More RAM despite the memory crisis
On June 25th, Apple raised the prices of Macs, iPads, and the Apple TV 4K, citing significantly increased costs for RAM and storage. The fact that the new devices nevertheless have considerably more RAM is, in my opinion, more noteworthy than the figures themselves. The iPad mini starts at €749, and the Apple TV 4K costs €349.
How much RAM is actually needed in everyday use depends heavily on usage, and with iPads and Apple TVs, it's just as difficult to upgrade after purchase as the RAM in Macs using Apple Silicon. Users who plan to use a device for a long time will be better served by the larger RAM capacity than by the previous model.
Are you already noticing that your iPad mini or Apple TV 4K is running low on storage – for example, because apps keep reloading or games are lagging? Let us know in the comments which device you're using and where you're experiencing problems.
