Apple is preparing to unveil its next generation of premium iPhones, with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max expected to take centre stage at the company’s September 9 event. Apple has confirmed the September 9 special event, although it has not yet officially announced the products or their prices.
Alongside the Pro models, Apple is also widely expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone. The device is reportedly being referred to as the iPhone Ultra, although Apple has not confirmed the name. The biggest question ahead of the launch is how much these new devices will cost.
Recent price leaks suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro range may see a relatively limited increase compared with some of the more aggressive predictions, while the foldable model could enter an entirely different price category.
Foldable iPhone Could Approach the $2,000 Mark
The first foldable iPhone has been linked to a wide range of prices in recent reports, with some earlier estimates placing it as high as $2,500 in the US.
More recent leaks, however, point towards the lower end of that range. A listing that briefly appeared in Egypt reportedly placed the foldable iPhone at 155,750 Egyptian pounds. For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro was listed at 88,799 Egyptian pounds. Based on those figures, the foldable would carry a substantial premium over Apple’s current Pro model.
Another reported Australian leak suggested a starting price of AUD 3,699 for the foldable, compared with AUD 1,999 for the iPhone 17 Pro. The comparison again points towards a significant gap between Apple’s conventional Pro phone and its first foldable.
Taken together, these leaked regional prices have fuelled expectations that the foldable could start around $1,999 in the US. Another estimate from TrendForce has placed the figure slightly higher at $2,099.
If either estimate proves accurate, Apple’s foldable would be positioned firmly among the most expensive mainstream smartphones. It would also sit above the starting price of several competing foldable phones in the US market.
Apple’s Foldable Could Be a Premium Alternative
Price alone may not determine how buyers view Apple’s first foldable. The device would have one major advantage for existing iPhone owners: Apple’s software ecosystem.
For customers already invested in Apple’s devices and services, staying within the iOS ecosystem could make the higher price easier to justify. At the same time, shoppers primarily interested in foldable hardware may have more affordable alternatives from established competitors.
Apple’s first attempt at a foldable phone is therefore likely to target customers willing to pay a significant premium for the company’s design, software and ecosystem rather than compete purely on price.
iPhone 18 Pro Could See a Smaller Increase
The pricing outlook appears less dramatic for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
A reported leak from Egypt has placed the two models at 98,000 and 105,000 Egyptian pounds, respectively. Compared with the previous generation, those figures would represent increases of roughly 10 percent and 11 percent.
If a similar increase were applied to Apple’s US pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at approximately $1,099, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could reach around $1,299. That would represent a $100 increase for each model.
Other estimates have pointed to a larger increase. TrendForce has previously projected a possible rise of between $149 and $200, depending on the model and final pricing structure. Even so, that would remain below some of the more aggressive price predictions that have circulated ahead of the launch.
Final Prices Will Settle the Rumours
A $1,299 starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro Max would place it in the same general pricing territory as other premium flagship smartphones.
However, price comparisons alone will not determine whether Apple’s new Pro models offer enough value. Camera improvements, display technology, performance and other hardware changes will ultimately determine how the new phones compare with competing flagships.
For the foldable iPhone, the calculation will be even more straightforward. A starting price near $2,000 would make it a major premium purchase, particularly for buyers who have never owned a foldable phone before.
With Apple’s September 9 event now confirmed, the wait for official pricing is almost over. Until then, the reported figures should be treated as leaks rather than final prices. The iPhone 18 Pro models may bring a manageable increase, but Apple’s first foldable iPhone could come with a much larger bill.
Also Read: iPhone 18 Pro: What New Features Separate It From iPhone 17 Pro and Should You Buy It?
