Fresh iPhone 18 Pro price details surface online ahead of September launch

Apple's next premium iPhones could come with a much steeper price tag than expected. A fresh report suggests the iPhone 18 Pro models may cost up to $300 more due to rising chip and memory costs ahead of their rumoured September debut.Fresh iPhone 18 Pro price details surface online ahead of September launch (Image: Apple Hub)Apple fans waiting for the next-generation iPhone may have to prepare for a much bigger bill this year. A fresh report suggests that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series could see a significant price increase when it launches in September, with rising chip and memory costs reportedly pushing Apple towards higher pricing.According to a report by MacRumors, citing GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost $250 (roughly Rs 23,800) to $300 (around Rs 28,600) more than the current iPhone 17 Pro models. If the prediction turns out to be accurate, it would mark one of the biggest price jumps for Apple's premium smartphones in recent years.At present, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max carries a starting price of $1,199. A $250-$300 increase would push the new Pro models into an even more premium price bracket.Why could the iPhone 18 Pro become more expensive?The report says the expected hike is being driven by a combination of higher production costs. Apple is reportedly preparing to use TSMC's next-generation 2nm A20 chip, which is believed to be far more expensive to manufacture than the current 3nm processors. Along with that, rising DRAM and NAND memory prices and ongoing global component shortages linked to the AI boom are also said to be increasing manufacturing costs. Jeff Pu believes these factors could leave Apple with little choice but to raise prices, although he also warned that doing so could create "demand uncertainty" among buyers.Interestingly, this marks a change in the analyst's earlier prediction. In May, Pu had suggested Apple might price the iPhone 18 Pro lineup aggressively despite increasing memory costs. His latest note paints a more cautious picture. Apple CEO Tim Cook also did not reveal whether iPhone prices would increase during the company's latest earnings call. While he acknowledged rising component costs, he stopped short of confirming any pricing plans for future iPhones.In India, the price of the 18 Pro is expected to be much higher than Rs 1,34,900 and 18 Pro Max will likely cost much more than Rs 1,49,900.What else is expected from the iPhone 18 Pro?Apart from the rumoured price hike, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to receive several hardware upgrades.The phones are tipped to retain 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes for the Pro and Pro Max, respectively, but could feature a smaller Dynamic Island, thanks to changes in the Face ID components. Apple is also rumoured to introduce brighter and more power-efficient LTPO+ displays.Camera improvements are expected as well. One of the biggest rumours is the arrival of a variable aperture system, which could allow the camera to adjust the amount of light entering the lens. This would help deliver better low-light photography while also improving shots taken in bright conditions.Performance is likely to get another boost with the A20 processor, which is expected to be built using TSMC's advanced 2nm process. The chip is also rumoured to use new packaging technology that combines memory and processing components more efficiently, promising faster speeds and improved power efficiency.The Pro Max model could also receive a slightly larger battery, while Apple is expected to introduce its in-house C2 modem, offering improved connectivity and better power management.Launch timelineReports suggest Apple could unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone during its September event, which is rumoured to take place around September 12. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected to arrive later, likely in spring 2027.As always, Apple has not officially confirmed any of these details. Until the company takes the stage in September, the pricing, specifications, and launch schedule remain part of the rumour mill.- EndsPublished By: Ankita GargPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 19:07 IST