Apple is facing 400% RAM price surge ahead of iPhone 18 Pro launch, report says

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro series next week. Days before the September 9 Apple event, a new report has claimed that the company is facing up to 400 per cent higher costs for RAM.Apple is facing higher prices for RAM prices due to ongoing memory crisis.(AI generated image)The next Apple event is just around the corner. The company is hosting an event on September 9, called “Surprise and Shine” where we expect to see the iPhone 18 Pro series and the rumoured iPhone Fold. While Apple is likely to bring some big upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro, it seems that the company is reportedly facing higher costs for RAM due to the ongoing memory crisis or RAMpocalypse.As per a new market report from TrendForce, Apple is set to pay much higher prices for RAM in the iPhone 18 Pro compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models. “For the 256GB Pro model, memory costs in 3Q26 are expected to be nearly 400 per cent higher than a year earlier,” the report says.iPhone 18 Pro price hike may be unavoidableThe electronics industry is going through a major memory crisis right now due to rising demand from AI data centres. The increase in demand for RAM and NAND in a market with limited supply has led to higher costs. This time, the report adds, Apple may be forced to increase prices of the iPhone 18 Pro models despite efforts to lower costs elsewhere.“Despite Apple’s efforts to negotiate lower prices for other components, these savings are unlikely to offset the resulting pressure on overall BOM (Bill of Materials) costs,” the report states. “An increase in retail prices appears increasingly unavoidable while hardware costs remain elevated.” Apple has previously increased prices of MacBooks and iPads, among other devices in India and global markets by as much as Rs 1 lakh. However, the company has not hiked iPhone prices till now. Earlier this year, former Apple CEO (now executive chairman) Tim Cook addressed the memory shortage. “This is a hundred-year flood," he told Wall Street Journal. “I’ve never seen anything like it in any area in over 40 years.”iPhone 18 Pro expected priceThough it is unlikely that Apple would pass on the entire price increase to consumers. As per some reports, pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro may go up by around $100 (roughly Rs 9,500) over the iPhone 17 Pro in the US. A separate TrendForce estimate places the iPhone 18 Pro at $1,249 (roughly Rs 1,18,000) to $1,299 (roughly Rs 1,22,000), up from $1,099 (roughly Rs 1,03,000 for the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also tipped to get a similar increase compared to its predecessor.While we don’t have any word on the potential increase in price for the Indian market, if the reports are accurate, we may see a similar hike. To give you some context, the iPhone 17 Pro starts in India at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced at Rs 1,49,900.As per reports, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could start between $2,099 (roughly Rs 1,98,000) and $2,299 (roughly Rs 2,17,000) in the US.We will have to wait for September 9 to finally get to know the real pricing of the next-generation iPhones. You can stream the “Surprise and Shine” event live on Apple’s website and official YouTube channel from 10:30 pm IST. India Today Tech will also bring you live updates from Apple Park as they happen.- EndsPublished By: Armaan AgarwalPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 09:14 IST