Apple has managed to keep iPhone pricing steady—for now. While recent cost hikes have already hit its Mac, iPad, Apple TV, Vision Pro lines, and other products largely due to RAM costs influenced by booming AI demand, iPhone prices remain unchanged this cycle. That’s likely to end with the iPhone 18 launch. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/23/its-anyones-guess-how-high-iphone-prices-might-go-but-100-might-be-enough/))
Why a $100 Increase Seems Plausible
Manufacturers like Samsung and Google have bumped up their flagship prices by around $100 recently. The suggestion: Apple may follow that same pattern. If so, the iPhone 18 Pro could debut at $1,199, marking approximately a 9% increase from current levels. While price hikes aren’t unusual industry-wide right now, Apple has historically worked hard to avoid pushing up the base price of its entry-level models—those are treated almost like a feature in themselves. Higher storage versions, however, are more likely to carry steeper premiums. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/23/its-anyones-guess-how-high-iphone-prices-might-go-but-100-might-be-enough/))
Spotlight on the Ultra Model & What’s Ahead
A standout in these speculations is the rumored foldable iPhone “Ultra.” Expected pricing for the Ultra could start as high as $1,999, reflecting not only its premium hardware but also its niche status. That said, even that price might end up straining the luxury tier. Alongside the Ultra, Apple is preparing to roll out the Pro and Pro Max versions of the iPhone 18, new Apple Watches, and other gear at a fall event—widely anticipated for early September, possibly the 9th. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/23/its-anyones-guess-how-high-iphone-prices-might-go-but-100-might-be-enough/))
For now, the base iPhone 17 line hasn’t received any upward adjustments, though the wider product ecosystem already has. Apple is trying to absorb rising components and manufacturing costs without making iPhones noticeably more expensive—at least for lower-end models. ([appleinsider.com](https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/23/its-anyones-guess-how-high-iphone-prices-might-go-but-100-might-be-enough/))
Ultimately, while nothing is confirmed, various signals point toward modest price increases—$100 or so—for many iPhone variants, with sharpest rises likely for high-end options like larger storage tiers or the Ultra model.
What This Means: Apple’s pricing decisions will be watched closely this fall. If flagship iPhones jump $100, it may reshape how consumers view value in the smartphone space—and open space for mid-tier players. The Ultra model’s pricing will test whether customers will pay for luxury in an already crowded premium market. Watch for how Apple balances cost pressures against customer expectations.
