According to research firm TrendForce, upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models will likely see starting price increases of 10 to 20 percent compared to last year’s lineup, pushing base prices up by $150 to $200. The estimates, released less than a week before Apple’s scheduled hardware debut, place rising component expenses at the center of the hardware cost adjustments.
TrendForce Price Estimates for Upcoming Apple Devices
Market analysts project a significant shift in retail costs for consumers purchasing Apple’s high-tier smartphones. TrendForce’s pricing estimates place the iPhone 18 Pro starting price between $1,249 and $1,299, compared to the $1,099 starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro. Meanwhile, the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max is estimated to start between $1,349 and $1,399, up from the previous generation’s $1,199 entry point.
These figures align with TrendForce’s earlier June forecast of a 14 to 18 percent increase, which fits neatly into the broader 10 to 20 percent range. Beyond the traditional Pro models, TrendForce expects Apple’s first foldable iPhone, occasionally referred to as the “iPhone Ultra,” to launch with a starting price between $2,099 and $2,299. High-storage configurations for the foldable device could surpass $3,000.
While standard iPhone 18 models are not expected to debut until spring 2027, TrendForce anticipates that the same 10 to 20 percent price escalation will eventually apply to those devices as well.
Component Cost Pressures Drive Hardware Increases
The overriding driver behind the incoming price hikes is the surging cost of memory. According to TrendForce, the cost of a 256GB memory chip has risen nearly 400 percent year-on-year. Furthermore, separate analysis by the firm indicates that the overall bill of materials for a 256GB Pro model has increased by roughly 38 percent over the same timeframe.
Despite these steep manufacturing burdens, Apple is expected to absorb a portion of the increased expenses by accepting lower profit margins rather than passing the entirety of the cost onto retail buyers. This balancing act mirrors previous hardware cycles. Last year, Apple avoided raising the price of the iPhone 17 Pro Max altogether while applying a modest $100 increase to the U.S. starting price of the iPhone 17 Pro.
Did you know? Apple managed to keep the iPhone 17 Pro Max starting price flat at $1,199 last year, but industry-wide component pressures tied to AI infrastructure have heavily altered the hardware cost environment for the current product cycle.
Industry-Wide Memory Pressures and AI Infrastructure
The consumer electronics industry faces severe supply chain pressures as the ongoing artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout drives up demand for advanced silicon. According to TrendForce, the relentless expansion of AI data centers has made memory components significantly more expensive, effectively constraining pricing flexibility across the wider electronics market.
These persistent supply constraints suggest that elevated component costs will remain a factor for device manufacturers in the near term. Consumers and industry watchers alike will get a definitive look at Apple’s retail pricing strategy when the company officially reveals the new hardware during its event on Wednesday, September 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Apple announce the official prices for the new iPhone models?
Apple is scheduled to reveal its latest hardware lineup and official pricing during its event on Wednesday, September 9.
How much more expensive will the iPhone 18 Pro models be?
According to TrendForce, starting prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to increase by $150 to $200, representing a 10 to 20 percent rise compared to last year.
What is causing the price increases for these smartphones?
TrendForce reports that the cost of 256GB memory chips has risen nearly 400 percent year-on-year, driven largely by heavy demand from the AI infrastructure buildout.
When will the regular iPhone 18 be released?
The standard iPhone 18 model is not expected to debut until spring 2027, though analysts project it will experience a similar 10 to 20 percent price increase.
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