iPhone 18 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Just days before unveiling the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, research firm TrendForce has projected the pricing of these devices, taking into account the current hardware cost landscape. Compared to last year's iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, the price estimates for the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max range from $1,249-$1,299 and $1,349-$1,399 respectively, marking an increase of $150 to $200.

This represents a 10-20% price bump, aligning with TrendForce's June forecast of a 14-18% rise, which falls within its broader 10-20% price range. If this trend holds, the iPhone 18 Pro's starting price could reach $1,249-$1,299, while the Pro Max might hover between $1,349-$1,399. TrendForce also anticipates the first foldable iPhone, code-named "iPhone Ultra," to launch with a starting price between $2,099-$2,299, potentially surpassing $3,000 for top-tier storage configurations.

The annual price hikes are primarily driven by soaring memory costs. The price of a 256GB memory chip has surged nearly 400% year-over-year, while the overall bill of materials (BOM) for a 256GB Pro model has jumped by about 38% over the same period. However, Apple is likely to mitigate these cost hikes by reducing its profit margins instead of passing the entire expense onto consumers.

Unlike last year, when Apple refrained from raising the iPhone 17 Pro Max's price and only modestly increased the iPhone 17 Pro's cost by $100 in the U.S., the relentless demand for AI infrastructure has further escalated memory costs, placing pressure on the entire electronics industry. The company's "Surprise and Shine" event on September 9 will shed light on the actual pricing details.