Apple Price Increases for iPhone 18 Models Expected
Rumors indicate that Apple may raise prices for its upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, especially for the Pro models. CEO Tim Cook recently mentioned that such increases are “unavoidable.” According to estimates from The Wall Street Journal, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,399, a jump from the previous model’s starting price of $1,099. This change is based on Apple’s usual profit margins and anticipated hikes in costs for components like memory, storage, and cameras.
IDC’s Senior Director of Data & Analytics, Nabila Popal, predicts that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may see price increases of about $200, referencing similar trends in Apple’s Mac and iPad pricing. “I think the days of $50 price hikes are over,” Popal stated.
On the other hand, analyst Max Weinbach shared insights on social media, suggesting that price increases might not be as steep as previously thought. A report from J.P. Morgan indicated that Apple may only increase the base model’s price by $50. They believe Apple can manage higher production costs through other strategies, such as using more of its own technology.
While the estimate primarily applies to the base model, sources like 9to5Mac noted that a smaller increase makes larger price jumps for the Pro models less likely than earlier predictions. Apple is facing rising costs due to a global memory shortage, and the new Pro models are expected to have 12GB of RAM, a feature that has already raised prices for some of Apple’s recent tablets.
Despite these anticipated price hikes, IDC believes that demand for upgrades will remain stable. The organization estimates that 54% of iPhones sold since 2022 may need replacing to access Apple’s next-generation Siri AI features. Additionally, buyers of Pro Max models generally show less sensitivity to price hikes, as they often invest in premium products and use installment payment plans.
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max in September. There’s also talk of a foldable iPhone Ultra being announced around the same time, although it may not be released until later. The standard iPhone 18, along with the lower-priced iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2, are expected to launch in the spring of 2027.
