iPhone 18 Pro could cost more than iPhone 17 Pro: 5 upgrades to expect

The iPhone 18 Pro could be more expensive than its predecessor, but Apple may have some big upgrades in store to justify the higher price. Here is everything we know so far.iPhone 18 in expected cherry red colour. (Representational photo)Apple's next-generation iPhone 18 Pro is coming soon. If we go by Apple's traditional launch cycle, the new iPhone could arrive in the second week of September, possibly between 7 and 9 September. While there are still a few weeks to go before the official launch, the rumour mill has already given us plenty to talk about. The Pro models are expected to bring some notable hardware changes, which will work alongside the new iOS 27 software to deliver Apple's best flagship experience yet. But along with these upgrades, there is also a high chance that Apple could make its new flagship more expensive.You see, over the last few years, Apple has kept the starting price of its flagship Pro series relatively similar. But this year, it might break the trend. Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could cost up to Rs 20,000 more in India than the iPhone 17 Pro, which starts at Rs 1,34,900. That could put the new model's starting price at around Rs 1,54,900. In the US, reports have pointed to a possible $200-$300 increase.Why will the iPhone 18 Pro become expensive?According to reports, Apple's manufacturing costs could rise by around 38 per cent this year. This is mainly because the prices of memory and RAM chips have shot up, while the new A20 Pro chip is also expected to cost more as it uses TSMC's advanced 2nm technology. So, the price hike looks almost inevitable. Of course, a higher price is never easy to swallow. But rumors say Apple could have some significant upgrades in store that may make the extra cost a little easier to justify. Here are five of the biggest ones expected with the iPhone 18 Pro. iPhone 18 Pro rumoured specifications 1. A20 Pro chip: Apple upgrades its silicon every year, and the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be no different. The phone is tipped to feature the A20 Pro chip, reportedly built on TSMC's 2nm process. Moving to a smaller manufacturing process could bring faster performance and improved power efficiency. Apple is also rumoured to be working on better thermal management, potentially including a vapour chamber system. This could help the iPhone 18 Pro handle gaming, video editing and AI workloads more efficiently. 2. Variable aperture in camera: Another big upgrade which we have been hearing is for the camera system. Rumors have it that the main 48-megapixel Fusion camera of iPhone 18 Pro series could get a variable aperture, allowing users to control how much light enters the lens.3. Bigger battery: Another much-anticipated upgrade could be better battery life. Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a battery nearly 10 per cent larger than its predecessor, with capacities of more than 5,400mAh rumoured for some versions. The iPhone 18 Pro could also get a larger battery. Combined with the more efficient A20 Pro chip and display, this could translate into better battery life and longer endurance.4. Smaller Dynamic Island: This year, we might not see any major design changes, but Apple could still make some noticeable refinements to the front. The Pro models are expected to retain their 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, while reportedly moving to more efficient LTPO+ OLED panels. The biggest visual change however could be a smaller Dynamic Island, with Apple reportedly moving some Face ID components under the display.5. New C2 modem: Apple is also expected to bring a new C2 modem to the iPhone 18 Pro. It could improve 5G speeds, signal strength and battery efficiency. A new N2 chip is also anticipated which could improve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while some reports also support for satellite-based 5G.Apple has not confirmed any of these details, so the rumours should be taken with a pinch of salt. But if they prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could offer enough upgrades to make the expected price hike a little easier to justify. - EndsPublished By: Divya BhatiPublished On: Aug 10, 2026 18:04 IST