iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone Could Sell Out Fast Due to Memory Shortage

Semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan warns that Apple's new iPhone models, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra, may face supply shortages due to a DRAM shortage. TSMC, the chip supplier for Apple, has $1 billion worth of unpackaged processors waiting on memory chips, unable to be added to the process later.

Apple's A20 Pro chips, built on TSMC's 2nm process, require DRAM for assembly at the wafer level, making it impossible to stockpile finished dies and add DRAM later. Apple and its assemblers believe they can meet initial demand, but retail inventory may sell quickly, leading to extended delivery times. DRAM shortages have caused delays in production for Mac Studio, Mac mini, and MacBook Air, making memory suppliers prioritize chips for AI data centers.

The foldable iPhone Ultra, expected to cost up to $2,500, could face the greatest supply limitations. Prices for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may increase by up to $300 due to higher RAM costs. Apple is not planning to release a lower-cost iPhone 18 until early 2027. To increase the chances of getting one of the new iPhone models on launch day, it's recommended to preorder as soon as they become available.