iPhone 18 Pro Price May Rise As RAM Costs Surge

Apple could be facing a fresh challenge ahead of its next major iPhone launch, with rising memory costs reportedly putting additional pressure on the price of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series.

The company is expected to introduce its new products at an event scheduled for September 9. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is among the products expected to receive attention, while Apple is also widely rumoured to be preparing its first foldable iPhone.

While the new Pro models are expected to bring hardware improvements, the cost of producing them could become a concern. A recent TrendForce market report has pointed to a significant increase in memory costs for the 256GB Pro model during the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

The reported rise is linked to a broader shortage affecting the global memory market. Demand for memory components has increased as artificial intelligence data centres continue to expand, putting additional pressure on available supplies of RAM and NAND memory.

This situation could eventually affect smartphone prices. Apple is reportedly attempting to negotiate lower prices for other components to control its overall production expenses. However, those efforts may not completely offset the increase in memory related costs.

That has led to speculation that Apple could pass at least part of the additional expense on to customers. The company has previously adjusted prices for products such as MacBook and iPad models in different markets, although the iPhone lineup has so far avoided a similar broad increase.

The possible price change could make the iPhone 18 Pro more expensive than its predecessor. Some market estimates suggest that the starting price in the United States could increase by around 100 dollars compared with the previous generation.

Another TrendForce estimate places the possible starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro between 1249 dollars and 1299 dollars. For comparison, the previous Pro model was reported to start at 1099 dollars in the US market.

The larger iPhone 18 Pro Max could also see a price increase if Apple decides to adjust pricing across the Pro lineup. However, the company has not officially confirmed the final prices or the extent of any increase.

Indian buyers could also feel the impact if Apple adopts higher global pricing. The previous Pro model was priced at Rs 1,34,900 in India, while the Pro Max started at Rs 1,49,900. Any change in international pricing could influence the final Indian prices, although local taxes and other factors would also play a role.

Apple is also expected to attract attention with its rumoured foldable iPhone. Reports have suggested that the device could carry a significantly higher price than the regular iPhone lineup, with estimates placing it in the premium segment.

The pressure on memory prices is not limited to Apple. Smartphone and electronics manufacturers across the industry are dealing with higher demand for memory components as artificial intelligence infrastructure continues to grow.

Apple has previously acknowledged the challenges created by the memory supply situation. Company executives have discussed the unusual nature of the current market conditions as manufacturers compete for limited supplies.

For consumers, the biggest question now is whether Apple will absorb a portion of the additional manufacturing cost or pass more of it on through higher retail prices. The answer will become clearer when the company officially announces the new products and their pricing.

The September 9 event is therefore expected to be closely watched, not only for the features coming to the iPhone 18 Pro series but also for any changes to Apple’s pricing strategy.

Until the official announcement, the reported prices should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed figures. Apple is yet to reveal the final Indian pricing, specifications and availability details for its upcoming iPhone models.