Price Hike Anticipated Across iPhone 18 Series
Apple is widely expected to raise prices on its upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup, according to reports from multiple outlets and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The projected increase, driven by escalating component expenses, could amount to $100 on select models. Business Today notes that Samsung and Google have already raised prices on their latest flagship devices, and Apple appears poised to follow suit.
GSMArena.com reports that all iPhone 18 series models could cost $100 more than their predecessors, a figure described by some sources as a "conservative adjustment" given the severity of memory chip shortages. MacRumors, citing analysts and Gurman, suggests the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could see a $200 increase, starting at $1,299 and $1,399 respectively. However, that estimate is at odds with the overwhelming expectation of a $100 bump, as indicated by Mashable and others.
Component Costs and Market Context
The root cause, according to multiple reports, is rising memory and storage costs, including RAM and NAND chips, driven by supply constraints and the AI buildout. Apple has previously raised prices across its Mac and iPad lineups in June, and industry observers point to increasing fixed manufacturing costs across the mobile sector.
Ubergizmo notes that Apple has already implemented an average 23% price increase across its Mac and iPad ranges, and with component costs still rising, the upcoming iPhone price hike is seen as practically inevitable. The company is reportedly absorbing a portion of the higher costs to retain customers and profit margins, while also pondering financing options like the Apple Upgrade Program and carrier programs to ease the burden on consumers.
iPhone 18 Pro and Max Pricing Estimates
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as reported by multiple outlets, the base model iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,199, up from $1,099 for the iPhone 17 Pro. This represents roughly a 9-percent increase. Gurman reportedly describes the hike as "relatively moderate" consideration of the sharp rises in DRAM and NAND storage prices.
Several reports suggest the price increase could be applied to other markets. For India, Business Today projects a Rs 10,000 - Rs 15,000 hike, while Mashable mentions a Rs 10,000 premium. Additionally, the outlet notes that iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and doit-down versions could also see price increases. Some reports even speculate that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could see a revision alongside the 18 Pro, though others indicate they may be left untouched.
The Foldable iPhone: A Premium Addition
Along with the usual Pro models, Apple is expected to unveil its first book-style foldable iPhone, which could cost over $2,000. VICE reports early testers praised the device's durable, smooth hinge, and with its display sized at approximately 7.8 inches with an iPad-style layout. However, testers criticize its lack of Face ID and the camera setup: a dual-lens, 48-megapixel sensor with no telephoto, which is one step below the regular iPhone Pro's triple-lens configuration.
The foldable could start at around $2,000 for the base model, making it a premium option beyond the iPhone 18 lineup. The launch is expected early next month, alongside the Pro models.
Official Confirmation Pending
No official confirmation has been issued by Apple regarding any planned price increases. The reports are based on information from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and other unnamed sources, as carried by Business Today, GSMArena.com, MacRumors, and Mashable. introduced. However, Apple has already previously increased prices on iPhone models in Japan, which some outlets suggest is an indicator of broader changes to come.