Can GPT-OSS 20B run on iPhone Air?
NO — Won't fit
Grade F · 3/100 · formula estimate
What this means
None of the versions we checked fit safely on this phone. The checked version needs about 14.8 GB, while we estimate that the model can use about 7.8 GB.
Try a smaller model, or use this model on a device with more memory.
This result is calculated from the phone and model specifications. It has not been measured on this exact phone and setup.
−7GB short
memory that doesn't exist here
14.8GB
needed at MXFP4
MXFP4
quant checked
F
grade · 3/100
needs 14.8 GBusable 7.8 GB · short 7 GB
Apple A19 Pro12 GB RAMMetal
Three ways forward
1
Try a smaller quant
No quant of GPT-OSS 20B fits this phone — even the smallest is too big. Options 2 and 3 are your real choices.
3
Run it in the cloud
The full GPT-OSS 20B, no download, at data-center speed — pay per token.
provider recommendations coming later
Where the memory goes
| Component | Detail | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Model weights | MXFP4 GGUF (12.1 GB) + mmap overhead | 12.7 |
| KV cache | 4K context window | 1.5 |
| Runtime | llama.cpp + app overhead | 0.6 |
| Total needed | at MXFP4, 4K context | 14.8 |
| Usable on iPhone Air | 12 GB RAM − iOS reserve (jetsam limit) | 7.8 |
| Headroom | missing — this memory doesn't exist | −7 |
Pick your quant
| Quant | Download | Verdict | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MXFP4 | 12.1 GB | ✕ Won't fit | won't fit |
Related checks
MORE ON IPHONE AIR
GPT-OSS 20B ON OTHER PHONES