iPhone 18 Pro & Pro Max Prices Expected to Soar at Launch

It is almost certain that the prices of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be higher when they are unveiled next week. The consensus is that a price increase is inevitable, with the only question remaining being the extent of the hike.

Apple recently implemented significant price hikes in response to the supply chain challenges affecting RAM and flash storage. This move was unprecedented for a company that has typically used pricing as a key marketing strategy. The supply chain crunch left Apple with no choice but to raise prices, as acknowledged by then-CEO Tim Cook, who described it as a “hundred-year flood.”

While the previous price increases affected almost all Apple products, the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods were notably excluded. However, it is widely anticipated that price hikes for the iPhone and Apple Watch will be announced alongside the new models next week. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to come with higher price tags compared to their predecessors.

Speculations suggest that the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e may also see price increases, although Apple could still surprise consumers. Additionally, the standard iPhone 18 is not expected until early next spring, as Apple plans to introduce a new foldable iPhone alongside the upcoming models, likely with a higher price point.

While some analysts predicted a worst-case scenario of iPhone prices rising by up to $400 or more, most believe that Apple will try to mitigate the cost increase to some extent. The company is exploring various strategies, including negotiating lower prices for components like OLED panels and considering purchasing more affordable Chinese RAM.

As the launch of the new iPhone models approaches, market research firm TrendForce has shared insights on the factors driving the expected price hikes. The report highlights a significant increase in memory costs, particularly affecting the 256GB Pro model. This cost escalation is likely to put pressure on Apple’s overall bill of materials (BOM) costs, necessitating a retail price increase.

TrendForce acknowledges that Apple may absorb some of the cost increase to prevent overwhelming customers with higher prices. Balancing volume sales and individual unit profitability is crucial for Apple, especially considering rising memory prices and overall economic inflation.

According to TrendForce’s estimates, Apple is likely to raise the prices of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by $150 to $200 each, keeping the starting storage configuration at 256GB. This could result in the starting price of an iPhone 18 Pro ranging from $1,249 to $1,299, and an iPhone 18 Pro Max priced between $1,349 and $1,399. However, the final pricing decisions will depend on Apple’s willingness to maintain profit margins amidst cost pressures.

As for the foldable iPhone, also known as the “iPhone Ultra” or “iPhone Fold,” industry experts anticipate a starting price of at least $2,000. TrendForce’s analysts support this prediction, suggesting that the entry-level model could be priced at $2,099, with the highest storage option surpassing the $3,000 mark.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]