iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Could Cost $200 More
▼ Summary
– IDC predicts Apple will raise iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max prices by up to $200, and base models by $50, due to increased component costs from a global memory crisis.
– The prediction was revised upward after Apple’s recent Mac and iPad price hikes, with some models increasing by $300, suggesting higher iPhone price increases than initially assumed.
– Apple plans to release a foldable iPhone this year, with an average selling price of $2,500, potentially offsetting memory costs and limiting price hikes on other models.
– The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have 12GB RAM, and price increases may mirror those of the M4 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, which saw $150 to $200 hikes.
– IDC believes the price increase will not deter upgrades, as 54% of iPhones shipped since 2022 need an upgrade for new Siri AI, and Pro Max buyers are less price-sensitive, with a $200 increase costing only $5 monthly over 36 months.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could see a price hike of up to $200, according to a new forecast from analytics firm IDC. The prediction comes on the heels of recent price increases across Apple’s Mac and iPad lineup, which saw some models jump by as much as $300.
Earlier, IDC had projected a more modest $100 increase for the Pro and Pro Max models and a $50 bump for the base iPhone 18 variants. However, the scale of yesterday’s Mac and iPad price adjustments has led the firm to revise its outlook upward. Nabila Popal, IDC’s Senior Director of Data & Analytics, noted that the pattern suggests a more aggressive pricing strategy for the next-generation iPhones.
“In our forecast, we had assumed a price hike of $100 to Pro and Pro Max models, and $50 hike to base models,” Popal said. “However, seeing the price hikes today to iPad and Macs going as high as $300 for some models, my personal instinct says the hike to iPhones may be even higher than what we assumed,perhaps even $200 to the Pro/Pro Max models. I think the days of $50 price increases are over.”
Apple is also preparing to launch a foldable iPhone later this year. IDC estimates its average selling price could land around $2,500, with higher storage configurations potentially reaching $3,000. The premium foldable could help offset rising memory costs and soften the price impact on other models in the lineup.
The price increases are driven by a global memory crisis that has limited supply and raised component costs. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature 12GB of RAM, a significant upgrade. Looking at other Apple devices with similar memory, the M4 iPad Air saw a $150 price increase, while the lower-tier M5 iPad Pro rose by $200. This suggests the iPhone 18 Pro models could follow a similar trajectory.
If these projections hold, the starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro could land between $1,249 and $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max might start between $1,349 and $1,399.
Despite the higher price tags, IDC believes demand will remain strong. Many consumers currently using an iPhone 15 (non-Pro) or older model are expected to upgrade to gain access to Siri AI features. The firm estimates that 54 percent of iPhones shipped since 2022 lack the hardware needed for the new Siri capabilities. Additionally, Pro Max buyers tend to be “premium-focused and less price sensitive,” making them less likely to be deterred by a price increase. Many also opt for monthly payment plans, which would spread a $200 increase over 36 months to roughly $5 per month.
(Source: MacRumors)
