Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series and its inaugural foldable iPhone are anticipated to debut at higher price points than previously projected. This development stems from insights shared by several reputable Chinese leakers.
One leaker, known as “Fixed Focus Digital,” indicated on Weibo that while current iPhone models have maintained stable pricing, the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro models are “certain” to experience price increases. Notably, the foldable iPhone is expected to be priced 10% to 20% higher than earlier estimates.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the foldable iPhone is likely to “exceed the $2,000 threshold” in the U.S., positioning it as Apple’s most expensive iPhone to date. This surpasses even the $1,999 iPhone 17 Pro Max in its 2TB configuration. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo concurs, suggesting that the device’s price could range from $2,000 to over $2,500. Considering these projections, the new Weibo claims imply that the foldable iPhone’s price could escalate well beyond $2,099, potentially placing higher storage variants above $3,000.
Another leaker, “Digital Chat Station,” expressed skepticism about the iPhone 18 Pro series avoiding a price hike. They highlighted the iPhone 17 Pro’s starting price of 8,999 yuan in China and suggested that Apple might elevate the iPhone 18 Pro’s starting price to 9,999 yuan to maintain its profit margins. This adjustment would position the entire September lineup, including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone, at 10,000 yuan or more. Such an increase represents approximately an 11% rise over the iPhone 17 Pro’s Chinese price. Historically, Apple has maintained proportional pricing between its Chinese and U.S. markets. Therefore, an 11% increase applied to the iPhone 17 Pro’s $1,099 U.S. starting price would suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start around $1,220.
Additionally, the leaker “Instant Digital” proposed an even steeper price point, suggesting that the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at 10,999 or even 11,499 yuan. They noted that this would be a significant price for a non-foldable device. Such pricing would represent a 15% to 20% increase over the current iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 9,999 yuan starting price in China. If this percentage increase is mirrored in the U.S. market, the 256GB model’s starting price could range between $1,300 and $1,400, up from the current $1,199.
These anticipated price adjustments are largely attributed to the global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash storage. This shortage is driven by the increasing demand from AI data centers, which compete for the same components used in consumer electronics like the iPhone. Manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology have been reallocating production towards enterprise-scale memory chips for AI servers, thereby constraining the supply available for consumer devices.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged the impact of soaring memory chip costs on the company’s product pricing. He stated that while Apple has been absorbing these increased costs, the situation has become unsustainable, making price increases unavoidable. Cook emphasized that the company is striving to mitigate these substantial cost increases and has been attempting to shield customers from them. However, the escalating costs necessitate adjustments in product pricing.
In light of these developments, consumers should prepare for higher prices across Apple’s upcoming product lineup. The iPhone 18 Pro series and the foldable iPhone are set to launch in September, with the foldable model potentially shipping later than the Pro models. As the tech industry grapples with component shortages and rising costs, these price adjustments reflect broader market trends affecting consumer electronics.
For consumers, this means that investing in the latest Apple technology will come at a premium. It’s essential to consider these potential price increases when planning future purchases. Additionally, staying informed about market trends and potential supply chain issues can help consumers make more informed decisions. As always, evaluating the value and necessity of upgrading to the latest models is crucial in the context of these anticipated price hikes.
