The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro is expected to carry a considerable price increase, with analyst Jeff Pu predicting a starting price of approximately $1,399 for the Pro model and between $1,449 and $1,499 for the larger Pro Max variant. This projected cost represents a substantial jump from the current iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at $1,099 for the regular size and $1,199 for the Pro Max, suggesting a potential year-over-year price increase of around 24%.
This anticipated price hike for Apple's latest iPhone model aligns with a wider trend of increasing costs across the smartphone market. Samsung, for instance, recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra with a $100 price increase over its predecessor and introduced a less-equipped Galaxy Z Fold 8 for $1,899. These price rises are reportedly driven by an ongoing AI-driven memory shortage that continues to escalate component costs.
The escalating prices are not confined to smartphones. The gaming hardware sector has also experienced similar cost inflations. The Xbox Series X recently saw its price increase to $799, and Valve has cautioned that rising RAM prices could impact future hardware releases, citing the high cost of the Steam Machine as an example.
While rumors persist about Apple's potential entry into the foldable market, the current pricing landscape suggests that a foldable iPhone would likely command an exceptionally high price point. The confluence of increased component costs and market dynamics points towards a sustained period of elevated pricing for consumer electronics.