The upcoming new range of high-end iPhones from Apple will be launched with a sharp rise in prices. According to rumors, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available at around $250-$300 extra than the previous iPhone 17 Pro series.
The estimate comes from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, whose latest research note was cited by MacRumors. If the projection proves accurate, buyers could be looking at one of the sharpest price increases for Apple’s high-end smartphones in recent years.
The iPhone 17 Pro currently starts at $1,099, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a starting price of $1,199. Adding between $250 and $300 would take the next Pro models considerably deeper into premium territory, although no final prices have been announced.
Why the iPhone 18 Pro could become more expensive
The expected increase is being linked to higher component and production costs.
Apple is reportedly preparing to use TSMC’s next-generation 2-nanometre manufacturing process for the A20 chip. The processor is believed to be more expensive to produce than the 3-nanometre chips used in the current generation.
Memory prices are another concern. Rising costs for DRAM and NAND components, combined with wider supply pressure associated with growing demand for artificial intelligence hardware, are reportedly adding to the cost of manufacturing premium smartphones.
Pu believes these pressures may leave Apple with limited room to absorb the additional expense. However, he also warned that a large price increase could create uncertainty around consumer demand.
His latest assessment represents a shift from an earlier forecast. In May, Pu had suggested that Apple could adopt more aggressive pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro range despite increasing memory costs. His revised outlook is more cautious.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has acknowledged that component costs are increasing, but he has not confirmed whether those pressures will lead to higher iPhone prices. During the company’s latest earnings call, Cook did not disclose any pricing plans for future devices.
Possible iPhone 18 Pro prices in India
Pricing in India could also move well above the current Pro range.
It can be presumed that the price of iPhone 18 Pro would be above Rs 1,34,900, and the price of iPhone 18 Pro Max would be above Rs 1,49,900. This is based on estimation and not actual launching price.
The final Indian pricing could depend on Apple’s global pricing strategy and the configurations introduced at launch. Apple has not announced the storage variants, retail prices or availability of the iPhone 18 series.
Expected display, camera and processor upgrades
Beyond pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is rumoured to receive several hardware changes.
The Pro and Pro Max models are expected to retain their 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes. Apple could reduce the size of the Dynamic Island by making changes to the Face ID hardware. The company is also rumoured to be working on brighter and more power-efficient LTPO+ displays.
A variable aperture camera system is among the more notable upgrades being discussed. Such a system would allow the camera to control how much light enters the lens, potentially improving photographs taken in both dark and brightly lit conditions.
The A20 processor is expected to be built using TSMC’s 2-nanometre process. It may also use a new packaging method designed to integrate memory and processing components more efficiently, with possible gains in performance and power efficiency.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive a slightly larger battery. Apple is also expected to introduce its in-house C2 modem, which is rumoured to offer better connectivity and power management.
Rumoured iPhone 18 launch timeline
Apple could unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable iPhone at a September event. Reports have suggested a date around September 12, but the company has not confirmed the event.
The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly being considered for a later launch, possibly in spring 2027.
For now, the reported prices, specifications and launch dates remain unconfirmed. Apple has not formally announced the iPhone 18 lineup, and the details could change before the company presents the devices.
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