With the unveiling of the iPhone 18 series approaching, speculation about the prices of these products has entered a more serious phase.
Technology website CNET predicted in a report that the prices of the Pro models in the next-generation iPhone will start at $1299; a figure which, according to the outlet, stems from a sharp rise in memory component costs and a shortage of RAM chips.
According to published reports, Apple is expected to introduce, at its September event, in addition to the iPhone 18 series, its first foldable phone; a product that is said may enter the market under the name “iPhone Ultra.”
TrendForce warning about price increases
Market research firm TrendForce said in a new report that, contrary to some consumers' expectations of receiving discounts, they are more likely to face higher prices.
According to the company, the ongoing shortage of RAM chips alongside rising hardware component costs could raise the price of the iPhone 18 series by between ten and twenty percent. The company's analysts also stated that memory costs for the Pro model with 256 GB capacity in Q3 2026 may increase by nearly 400 percent compared to the same period last year.
It is worth noting that Apple increased the prices of some of its products last June due to the RAM shortage crisis, but at that time it had exempted iPhones from that price change. However, it is now possible that Apple will offer some iPhone 18 models at higher prices at the September event.
What will the possible price of the iPhone 18 be?
According to some analysts' estimates, the price of Apple's foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, could be between $2,000 and $2,500. However, TrendForce predicts a higher figure and believes the initial price of this product will be between $2,099 and $2,299; a figure that may even approach $3,000.
Regarding the more expensive models of the iPhone 18 series, the company predicts that the iPhone 18 Pro will start at $1,199 to $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start from $1,299 to $1,399.
However, a price increase does not necessarily mean a significant performance upgrade.
No major performance leap
According to TrendForce, users should not expect a fundamental transformation in the performance of the new generation of iPhones. Instead, Apple is expected to focus on employing a more powerful processor; a chip that would bring better AI capabilities and higher energy efficiency.
Alongside these changes, improvements in chip cooling technology and offering displays with more energy-efficient consumption are among the other expected changes in this generation.
On the other hand, the main camera of the Pro models may also be equipped with a variable mechanical aperture; a technology that can improve control of depth of field and dynamic range of images under varying lighting conditions.