Apple iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone Tipped for Price Increases Amid Rising Memory Costs
The iPhone 18 Pro and Apple's first foldable iPhone are once again being linked to higher launch prices, with multiple reports pointing to rising memory costs as the primary reason. While Apple has not announced pricing, several analysts and supply chain sources suggest the Pro models could become more expensive when they debut later this year.
Current estimates place the iPhone 18 Pro between approximately $1,220 and $1,399, compared with the reported $1,099 starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro. Apple's first foldable iPhone is also expected to enter the ultra-premium segment, with some forecasts placing its price above $2,000 and others suggesting it could exceed $2,500.
Recent reports from Chinese tipsters indicate Apple may raise prices across its premium lineup. One estimate points to an increase from 8,999 yuan to 9,999 yuan for the base iPhone 18 Pro in China, while another suggests the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max could reach between 10,999 and 11,499 yuan. Although the figures differ, they all indicate a higher price than the current generation.
Research firms have also projected notable component cost increases. Estimates suggest the cost of 12GB DRAM could rise from around $39 in the previous generation to roughly $145, while 256GB NAND storage may increase from about $13 to nearly $51. Those changes significantly raise manufacturing costs for flagship smartphones.
Analysts attribute the higher component prices to global demand for AI server hardware. Memory manufacturers are allocating more production capacity to enterprise-grade chips, tightening supply for consumer devices. Reports indicate this trend is affecting several smartphone makers, including Apple.
Some forecasts suggest Apple could pass much of the additional cost on to buyers to maintain its margins. However, not every analyst agrees. J.P. Morgan expects a smaller increase of around $50, arguing that savings from Apple's in-house modem and lower costs for other components could offset part of the higher memory expense.
