New projections indicate that the next generation iPhone Pro could see a significant price increase, costing up to US$300 more than its predecessors. This increase is mainly due to the escalation in production costs of essential components, such as memory and storage chips. The increase scenario already affects other Apple products and signals a trend for the high-end electronics market.
Impact of component costs on the technology market
The global technology sector is facing increasing pressure due to rising raw materials and electronic components. Recently, Apple adjusted the prices of much of its catalog, including the HomePod, Apple TV, iPads, Macs and the Vision Pro. The increases ranged from $30 on the HomePod mini to a notable $1,300 on the high-end Mac Studio, highlighting that the company is not immune to market fluctuations.
Apple CEO Tim Cook had already warned The Wall Street Journal about the “inevitability” of these increases, citing the higher costs of purchasing memory and storage chips. These movements reflect a broad industry reality, where supply chain complexity and demand for advanced components drive final consumer costs across multiple segments, not just in the sphere of Apple products.
Price expectations for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Price estimates for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are worrying for consumers. Even before Apple’s recent price adjustments, there was already speculation that the next generation Pro models could have higher starting prices. Now, with added pressure from component costs, analysts are predicting an even bigger jump.
According to an analysis by research firm TechInsights, published by the Wall Street Journal, the costs of DRAM memory and flash storage could quadruple by the second half of the year. This would directly impact the cost of materials for the iPhone 17 Pro, which would go from approximately US$582 to around US$726, an increase of 25%. To maintain current profit margins, Apple would need to add around $270 to the final price of the iPhone 18 Pro.
A new camera system, designed for the iPhone 18 Pro, will also contribute significantly to the increase. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that this component could cost up to 50% more compared to the previous generation. Combining these factors, the Wall Street Journal predicts that the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro could reach $1,399 or more, representing an increase of $200 to $300 over the current model, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max following the trend with an additional cost of $100.
Aesthetic and functional news awaited for the iPhone 18 Pro
In addition to price expectations, rumors are circulating about the design and functionality features of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. The construction of the device should maintain the aluminum structure seen in the iPhone 17 Pro, but with the introduction of four new color options. Among them, the color “Dark Cherry” stands out, a soft wine tone that promises to be the main launch color.
Preliminary information indicates that, unlike previous years, an all-black color option will likely not be offered. Concerns were raised by Weibo tipster Fixed Focus Digital about the durability of the new colors. There is a warning that they may be susceptible to the same chipping and surface wear issues seen in colors like “Cosmic Orange” and “Dark Blue” in previous models, characteristics that Apple would consider inherent to the material, and not manufacturing defects.
The future of the Apple line: foldable, smartwatches and smart AirPods
Apple is gearing up for a series of launches and innovations across its product portfolio in the coming years beyond the flagship iPhone. September is expected to not only bring the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, but also the introduction of the long-awaited “iPhone Ultra”, the company’s first foldable smartphone. Although there are rumors of a possible delay of at most a month for the foldable, sources such as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman maintain the launch forecast for September.
- 7.8-inch internal screen
- 5.5-inch external screen
- A20 Processor
- C2 modem
- Touch ID authentication system (instead of Face ID)
- Two rear cameras
- Estimated starting price of at least US$2,000
In the same period, Apple is expected to introduce the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Apple Watch Series 12. Little detailed information about the new smartwatches has been revealed, but a faster chip is almost certain, given that the previous models, Series 11 and Ultra 3, retained the S10 processor. watchOS 27 is expected to bring new watch faces, including a variant of the Modular Ultra watch face.
Looking further ahead, in 2027, the Cupertino company plans to launch AirPods with integrated cameras. These cameras would not have the function of taking photos or recording videos. Instead, they would be designed to collect environmental data and send it to Siri. The voice assistant would use this information to answer questions about objects in the user’s field of vision, provide contextual reminders, and enhance navigation instructions. A light indicator would signal the activation of the cameras to people nearby, ensuring privacy and transparency. Initially slated for 2026, the launch of the smart AirPods has been delayed, reportedly due to Apple’s challenges with artificial intelligence and the need to develop robust object identification models.