iPhone 18 Pro may get Apple's biggest price hike in years because reasons
The iPhone 18 Pro could become Apple's costliest non-folding iPhone yet. Reports suggest Apple's next flagship could see one of its biggest price jumps in years, due to rising component costs and major hardware upgrades.
If you've been planning to buy the iPhone 18 Pro this September, well, you might need a heavier wallet. Reports suggest Apple is preparing one of the biggest price hikes for its Pro iPhones in years. Earlier, analysts expected only a modest increase. But newer reports now claim the jump could be much steeper, with some estimates pointing to a $250 to $300 (around Rs 28,000) hike for the Pro models.
So, what's going on? Well, according to multiple reports by analysts including GF Securities' Jeff Pu and Morgan Stanley's Erik Woodring, Apple is facing a perfect storm of rising production costs. One of the biggest reasons is expected to be the new A20 Pro chip, which is reportedly being built on TSMC's advanced 2nm process. The next-generation chip is said to cost significantly more to manufacture than the current 3nm version.
Then there's the memory crunch. The smartphone industry is currently dealing with soaring DRAM and NAND memory prices, largely driven by growing demand for AI hardware. Combine that with larger batteries, upgraded camera hardware and other premium components, and Apple's manufacturing costs for iPhone 18 Pro gets even higher.
Notably, earlier reports suggested Apple might absorb some of these higher costs. But Jeff Pu's latest research note now says the company is more likely to pass a large part of that increase on to buyers. If that happens, the iPhone 18 Pro could become Apple's most expensive non-folding iPhone yet.
Of course, Apple hasn't confirmed any of this yet. The company is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro series in September, with September 9 currently tipped as the most likely launch date.
iPhone 18 Pro rumored specifications
If the rumours turn out true, this year Apple won't just be charging more for the Pro lineup. It is also expected to bring a long list of upgrades.
Design: Apple is expected to keep the overall design introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, while refining it with a smaller Dynamic Island, slimmer bezels and new colours such as Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Silver and Dark Grey.
Display: Reports suggest Apple will continue with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch OLED displays, but upgrade them to more efficient LTPO+ panels with improved brightness and better power efficiency.
Processor: The iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to feature the new A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process, paired with 12GB RAM. The combination is expected to deliver faster performance, improved thermal management and stronger support for Apple Intelligence in iOS 27.
Battery: Apple also seems to be giving battery life some much-needed upgrade. Rumours are pointing towards larger batteries across the Pro lineup, especially on the Pro Max. Combine that with the power-efficient A20 Pro chip and LTPO+ display, and the iPhone 18 Pro could comfortably last longer on a single charge.
Cameras: One of the biggest upgrades could be a variable-aperture 48-megapixel main camera, allowing the iPhone to adjust how much light enters the sensor. Reports also point to telephoto improvements and a new 24-megapixel selfie camera.
Connectivity: Apple is expected to introduce its C2 modem, for better 5G performance, improved power efficiency and expanded satellite connectivity.
iPhone 18 India price
Nothing has been confirmed by Apple so far. But if the leaks and analyst reports are anything to go by, buyers in India may have to pay between Rs 1,39,900 and Rs 1,49,900 for the iPhone 18 Pro, while the Pro Max could start anywhere between Rs 1,59,900 and Rs 1,69,900.