iPhone 18 Pro price hike likely, report suggests

Nabila Popal, IDC’s Senior Director of Data and Analytics, said the firm’s initial projections called for a more modest US$100 (~S$129) price increase. However, following Apple’s recent price adjustments across several product categories, IDC now believes a larger increase has become more likely.

Apple has already acknowledged that rising memory prices are affecting its cost structure. The company previously said it had absorbed higher component costs for as long as possible. Still, it warned that doing so was no longer sustainable as the semiconductor supply crunch continues to drive up manufacturing expenses.

Memory has become one of the most expensive components in modern smartphones, especially as AI features demand larger RAM capacities and faster storage. The iPhone 18 Pro is also rumoured to introduce several premium hardware upgrades, including a variable aperture camera system and increased memory, both of which could further increase production costs.

Despite the prospect of higher prices, IDC does not expect demand for the iPhone 18 Pro to weaken significantly. The research firm estimates that 54% of iPhones shipped since 2022 are now due for an upgrade. It also notes that buyers of Apple’s Pro models tend to fall into the premium smartphone segment, making them less sensitive to price increases.

Apple is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September alongside its long-rumoured foldable iPhone as part of a revamped release strategy.

Source: MacRumors