iPhone 18 Pro Price Shock? 400% RAM Cost Surge Could Push Up Prices in India
The iPhone 18 Pro is anticipated to face a significant price increase in India, with reports indicating a staggering 400% surge in RAM procurement costs for Apple. Expected to launch at Apple's 'Surprise and Shine' event on September 9, leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could start from INR 1,34,000. Key rumoured features include the A20 Pro chip, 12GB RAM, and.
Cupertino giant Apple is reportedly facing an unprecedented challenge with its supply chain, as memory procurement costs for the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro are projected to skyrocket by approximately 400% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026. This significant increase, highlighted by market research firm TrendForce, is expected to heavily influence the final retail pricing of Apple's next-generation flagship smartphones, with a notable impact on the Indian market.
Apple has officially confirmed its highly anticipated fall iPhone launch event, themed 'Surprise and Shine,' for Wednesday, September 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The event, led by new Apple CEO John Ternus, is expected to officially unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. While pre-orders are reported to commence on Saturday, September 12, a slight deviation from the usual Friday schedule out of respect for the 9/11 anniversary, the devices are expected to go on sale starting Friday, September 18.
Potential Price Hikes in India and Globally
The drastic rise in memory costs, particularly for the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro model, poses a considerable pricing dilemma for Apple. While TrendForce suggests Apple will likely absorb a significant portion of these increased expenses to maintain market share amid cautious consumer spending, a price hike appears inevitable.
In the United States, reports indicate a potential increase of approximately $150-$200 over the iPhone 17 Pro, with some estimates suggesting a 10-20% overall price rise for the new lineup. This could see the base iPhone 18 Pro starting between US$1,249 and US$1,299.
For Indian consumers, leaks and analyst estimates point to a substantial bump in prices. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to start between ₹1,34,000 and ₹1,39,900, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max could command an estimated price tag ranging from ₹1,55,000 to ₹1,70,000. These figures are currently based on leaks and have not been officially confirmed by Apple.
Expected Specifications and Features
Despite the cost challenges, the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to bring significant upgrades. Both the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are anticipated to feature the new Apple A20 Pro chip, manufactured on a 2nm process, promising enhanced performance and power efficiency. Industry insiders suggest the Pro models will come equipped with 12GB of RAM.
The iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to sport a 6.3-inch LTPO+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a redesigned, smaller Dynamic Island. Battery capacity is expected to see improvements, with the iPhone 18 Pro reportedly featuring a 4288 mAh unit, and the Pro Max potentially housing a larger 5,000–5,600 mAh battery.
Camera innovations are also on the cards, with a rumoured triple 48MP rear camera setup and a 24MP front camera. A key enhancement could be a variable aperture main camera, potentially on both Pro models, offering greater control over light and depth of field. The new C2 modem is also expected to enable satellite 5G connectivity. Colour options are rumoured to include light blue, silver, dark gray/black, and dark cherry, with other leaks pointing to sky blue, pure black, and burgundy.
Notably, the standard iPhone 18 is not expected to launch alongside its Pro counterparts, with reports indicating a delayed release until March 2027. Additionally, Apple's first foldable iPhone, potentially named 'iPhone Ultra' or 'iPhone Fold,' is also widely anticipated to debut at the September 9 event, though its availability might follow later.
Expected iPhone 18 Pro Series Specifications (Rumoured)
| Feature | iPhone 18 Pro (Expected) | iPhone 18 Pro Max (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A20 Pro (2nm) | Apple A20 Pro (2nm) |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Display | 6.3-inch LTPO+ OLED, 120Hz, smaller Dynamic Island | 6.9-inch LTPO+ OLED, 120Hz, smaller Dynamic Island |
| Rear Camera | Triple 48MP (Variable Aperture on both Pro models) | Triple 48MP (Variable Aperture on both Pro models) |
| Front Camera | 24MP | 24MP |
| Battery | 4288 mAh | 5,000–5,600 mAh |
| OS | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Connectivity | Satellite 5G (C2 modem) | Satellite 5G (C2 modem) |
| Expected India Price (Base) | ₹1,34,000 – ₹1,39,900 (Unconfirmed) | ₹1,55,000 – ₹1,70,000 (Unconfirmed) |
Market Impact and Outlook
The memory price surge is a significant factor in the broader semiconductor market, and Apple's decision on how much of this cost to pass on to consumers will be closely watched. Analysts suggest that while Apple is negotiating lower prices for other components, these savings may not fully offset the increased memory costs. This situation underscores the ongoing volatility in global component supply chains and its direct impact on consumer electronics pricing.
Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2026 05:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
