text model · gemma · iOS
Can I run Gemma 3 1B on iPhone 16 Pro?
Yes. Gemma 3 1B runs on iPhone 16 Pro at Q4_K_M (~1.8 GB of ~4.5 GB usable).
Runs at Q4_K_M using ~1.8 GB of ~4.5 GB usable. You have room for FP16 for higher quality.
- Q4_K_M needed
- ~1.8 GB
- Usable on device
- ~4.5 GB
- Device memory
- 8 GB
- Best quant
- Q4_K_M
How to run it
On iOS use Apple Foundation Models (Built into iOS 26, ~3B on-device model, zero download, fully private.). Phones realistically run 1B-4B class models. Anything larger thermally throttles or OOMs.
- Parameters
- 1B
- Q4_K_M size
- 0.81 GB
- Q8_0 size
- 1.07 GB
- Context
- 32k
- Ollama tag
- gemma3:1b
- Memory
- 8 GB unified
- Usable for weights
- ~4.5 GB
- Best runtime
- llama.cpp + Metal (via PocketPal or Off Grid app)
You could also run
Run Gemma 3 1B on other hardware
FAQ
Can iPhone 16 Pro run Gemma 3 1B?
Yes. Gemma 3 1B runs on iPhone 16 Pro at Q4_K_M (~1.8 GB of ~4.5 GB usable).
How much memory does Gemma 3 1B need?
iPhone 16 Pro has room to spare. At Q4_K_M the weights are ~0.81 GB; with KV cache and runtime overhead, budget ~1.8 GB at a 4k context.
What is the best tool to run Gemma 3 1B on iOS?
On iPhone and iPad, Apple Foundation Models (Built into iOS 26, ~3B on-device model, zero download, fully private.) is the standard choice. Phones realistically run 1B-4B class models. Anything larger thermally throttles or OOMs.
Sources
Memory figures are estimates. See methodology.