Muhammad Amanullah — September 4, 2026
Apple’s upcoming iPhone models could be significantly more expensive than their predecessors, with a new forecast suggesting that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may see price increases of between 10 and 20 per cent.
According to media reports, the final prices have not yet been confirmed by Apple. Consumers are expected to receive clearer information about the pricing of the new models during the company’s special event scheduled for September 9.
How Much Could the iPhone 18 Pro Cost?
Citing a forecast from TrendForce, the report said the iPhone 18 Pro could have a starting price of between $1,249 and $1,299.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max, meanwhile, is expected to start at between $1,349 and $1,399.
TrendForce had previously estimated in a forecast released in June that prices could rise by between 14 and 18 per cent. Its latest estimate has widened the potential increase to between 10 and 20 per cent.
The latest forecast is reportedly considered more consistent with Apple’s broader pricing strategy.
However, the projected prices are not final. The actual retail prices will only become known once Apple officially announces the new models.
Foldable iPhone Could Also Carry a High Price
The report also discussed Apple’s first foldable iPhone, which is expected to be introduced under the iPhone Ultra name.
According to TrendForce, the foldable model could have a starting price of between $2,099 and $2,299.
The report further suggested that a higher-storage version could cost more than $3,000.
If the forecast proves accurate, the foldable iPhone could become one of the most expensive smartphones ever offered by Apple.
Standard iPhone 18 May Launch Later
According to the report, the standard iPhone 18 is not expected to launch immediately with the Pro models and could instead be introduced by spring 2027.
Despite the later launch, TrendForce has estimated that the standard iPhone 18 could also face a price increase of around 10 to 20 per cent.
This would mean that any significant price increase may not be limited to Apple’s premium Pro models but could eventually affect the standard iPhone lineup as well.
Rising Memory Costs Seen as a Major Factor
The report identified increasing memory costs as one of the main reasons behind the expected rise in iPhone 18 prices.
According to TrendForce, the price of a 256GB memory chip has increased by approximately 400 per cent over the past year.
The sharp rise in memory costs has placed additional pressure on the electronics manufacturing industry.
Modern smartphones such as the iPhone rely on increasing amounts of storage and advanced hardware, meaning higher memory costs can have a direct impact on overall production expenses.
iPhone Manufacturing Costs Have Also Increased
In a separate analysis, TrendForce estimated that the overall bill of materials for a 256GB Pro model has increased by approximately 38 per cent over the past year.
The increase has been attributed to higher costs for various components used in the device.
However, the report noted that Apple may not necessarily pass the entire increase in manufacturing costs on to consumers.
The company could potentially absorb part of the additional expense by accepting lower profit margins. Such a strategy could allow Apple to limit the extent of any price increase.
Apple Avoided a Major Price Increase Last Year
The report said Apple managed to avoid increasing the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max last year.
In the United States, the iPhone 17 Pro reportedly received a year-on-year price increase of around $100.
The situation is considered different this year, with large-scale investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure contributing to higher demand for memory and pushing up memory prices.
The resulting pressure has affected other parts of the electronics industry as well.
Consumers Await Apple’s Official Announcement
Reports of potentially higher prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max have attracted the attention of consumers planning to purchase Apple’s next-generation smartphones.
However, all of the prices currently being discussed are based on forecasts and industry analysis. They could change before Apple officially announces the devices.
According to the report, the pricing details for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to become clearer during Apple’s September 9 special event.
Until then, TrendForce’s estimates should be viewed as a possible pricing scenario rather than confirmed retail prices.
If prices rise by 10 to 20 per cent, the starting prices of the new Pro models could be considerably higher than those of the previous generation. Rising memory costs are also expected to remain a major challenge for Apple as it determines the pricing of its next-generation smartphones.
