The latest signals from the supply chain paint a grim picture for consumers’ wallets, as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are likely to set a new price benchmark.
The core issue stems from a severe shortage of high-performance memory. Amid soaring industry-wide demand and dwindling supply, Apple’s negotiation costs with suppliers are escalating, forcing the company to adjust retail prices to maintain profit margins. Analysts predict a price hike ranging from $52 to $105, mirroring the premium trend initiated by the iPhone 17 series.
Consumers may face even heavier financial burdens in 2026, as Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable device, the iPhone Fold, further expanding its ultra-premium lineup. To combat soaring component costs, Apple is accelerating its in-house technology strategy to optimize production expenses. The company is developing next-gen A20 and A20 Pro chips on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process and producing its own C2 modems to reduce reliance on Qualcomm. This approach previously saved Apple over $10 per device with the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e.
However, observers caution that while Apple’s tighter hardware control is a shrewd move, it may only offer temporary relief amid the global component price surge. Savings from internal chips and modems might not offset the skyrocketing memory costs. Consequently, the iPhone 18 retaining its current price seems unlikely, leaving consumers to brace for significant adjustments in 2026.
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