CALIFORNIA: Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 series is expected to see a modest price increase across models, according to recent market reports, as global demand for memory and storage chips continues to push production costs higher.
Tim Cook, Apple Company’s CEO, had earlier admitted that “it is inevitable” and explained the situation with tightness of supply in the semiconductor market. At the same time, the executive did not reveal any details regarding the future rise in prices for the next iPhone line.
The growing demand for the memory supply was caused by the fast growth of AI data centers all over the world requiring special chips.
According to the JPMorgan analyst report, Apple Company is expected to raise prices for the iPhone 18 series lower than expected. In particular, it may increase prices of each model by about $50 comparing to the previous generation.
This means that the price of the iPhone 18 Pro will be equal to $1,149 (as opposed to the $1,099 of the previous generation) and the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be about $1,249 (as opposed to the $1,199 of the previous generation).
However, the initial predictions by industry players stated that prices would increase to up to $200 due to increasing costs of components such as memory chips and storage chips. According to a Wall Street Journal report, these components alone cost as much as $150 extra compared to their predecessors.
Despite being one of the biggest purchasers of memory chips across the globe, Apple is experiencing stiff competition in its supply chain from AI companies. In order to cope with such a challenge, the company has been reported to explore ways of lowering its costs, which includes utilizing C-series modem of its own.
On the other hand, there are plans for Apple to change its product launch strategy. Sources indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro will be launched together with the first foldable iPhone of the company in September, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 will be released in early 2027.
