iPhone 18 Pro Price Could Soar to $1,399

Rising memory chip costs and a new camera system may push the iPhone 18 Pro's starting price to $1,399, a $300 increase over its predecessor.

Apple has confirmed that price increases are imminent across its product lineup, driven by surging memory chip costs. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the company's vulnerability to the global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash storage, though he declined to specify which devices would be affected. Analysts now anticipate that the iPhone 18 Pro, expected this September, could start at $1,399—a $300 jump from the iPhone 17 Pro's $1,099 price tag.

The price hikes stem from a worldwide scarcity of memory components, exacerbated by AI data centers competing for the same chips. Manufacturers like Samsung and Micron have shifted production toward enterprise-scale memory for AI servers, squeezing supply for consumer electronics. According to TechInsights, DRAM and flash storage prices are projected to quadruple by fall compared to last year. For instance, the 12GB of DRAM in the iPhone 17 Pro cost Apple roughly $39; that figure could climb to $145 for the iPhone 18 Pro, while 256GB of flash storage may rise from $13 to $51.

TechInsights estimates that Apple's total bill of materials for the iPhone 17 Pro stands at about $582, yielding a gross margin of 47%. To maintain that margin on the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple would need to charge $1,371. However, the company's preference for standardized pricing makes $1,299 more likely, resulting in a 44% margin. This calculation does not account for a new camera system, which supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims could cost Apple 50% more than the previous generation. Incorporating that expense, The Wall Street Journal estimates the iPhone 18 Pro could start at $1,399 or higher.

Should Apple adopt that price point, the iPhone 18 Pro Max would likely start at $1,499, consistent with the current $100 gap between models. The foldable iPhone Ultra, rumored to debut alongside the Pro models, is expected to carry a starting price of around $2,000. Consumers may face difficult choices this fall as Apple's premium lineup becomes increasingly expensive, reflecting broader trends in component costs and supply chain pressures.