Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to maintain the same 256 GB base storage that the iPhone 17 Pro introduced, rather than offering an increase. This insight comes from a recent report by Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. The iPhone 16 Pro had a 128 GB minimum, so this marks a continuation of the status quo from last year.
Prices Set to Climb
Even though the entry-level storage isn’t changing, costs for the iPhone 18 Pro are likely going up. TrendForce predicts that shortages and rising expenses in components—especially memory chips like RAM, as well as storage and advanced processors such as Apple’s A20 Pro—are pushing up production costs.
In the U.S., the base iPhone 18 Pro could cost between $200 and $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro currently does. That would put its starting price near $1,399, and the Pro Max version could reach about $1,499—if the expected hikes hold.
Why the Hikes?
The broader trend across Apple’s product lineup has already seen increases this year. In June, the company raised the prices of Macs, iPads, Apple TV, Vision Pro, HomePod, and HomePod mini. For example, HomePod mini saw a $30 bump, while high-end Mac configurations jumped by hundreds or even over a thousand dollars. The driver? A long-running shortage of memory chips, squeezed further by demand from AI server infrastructure and data centers, pushing RAM and SSD prices up sharply.
Apple’s former CEO used vivid imagery to describe the scale of the memory commodity crisis—’a hundred-year flood’—underscoring how unusual and severe these supply pressures are.
Launch Timeline and Context
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max during its annual September event, set for September 9, 2026. As consumers anticipate new hardware with possibly enhanced features like a smaller dynamic island or satellite-linked 5G, these pricing shifts are likely to factor heavily into purchase decisions.
For comparison: iPhone 16 Pro launched with 128 GB storage as its base, iPhone 17 Pro bumped that up to 256 GB, and now the iPhone 18 Pro appears poised to retain 256 GB at the base level while introducing escalating price tags. There’s no indication so far of Apple offering a lower-cost 128 GB variant in the Pro line.
Why this matters: Apple’s decision to hold off on increasing base storage suggests the company believes 256 GB remains sufficient for most Pro users for at least another cycle—despite expectations in the market for more space. However, the anticipated price hikes—if confirmed—could stretch consumer budgets and shift the calculus when comparing Apple’s flagship phones against other premium Android options. For those eyeing deals, waiting to see configurations and regional pricing will be essential, especially in markets outside the U.S. as inflation, tax, and supply differences could amplify cost increases. Watching how Apple balances storage, performance upgrades, and cost will tell us whether the iPhone 18 Pro line achieves value or becomes out of reach for many.
