iPhone 18 Series May See 10–20% Price Hike Driven by Surging Memory Costs, Analyst Report Warns

Apple’s upcoming product launch event could deliver significant sticker shock to smartphone buyers. According to a market report from global intelligence firm TrendForce, the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup is projected to launch with a 10% to 20% price increase, largely driven by severe global memory supply constraints and heightened hardware production expenses.

The surge in dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) costs has placed sharp upward pressure on bill-of-materials expenditures. Memory components for configurations like the 256GB Pro variant are projected to be nearly 400% higher compared to the same period in 2025. While Apple previously insulated its smartphone lineup from mid-year component adjustments that affected other hardware categories, industry watchers expect the company to pass a portion of the component inflation directly to consumers, even as it attempts to absorb some overhead to maintain a competitive footprint.

The price escalation is expected to hit peak levels with Apple’s heavily rumored debut foldable device, tentatively dubbed the iPhone Ultra. Analysts estimate the base tier of the foldable model could start between $2,099 and $2,299, with top-tier storage configurations potentially climbing toward the $3,000 threshold.

Despite the higher price bracket, analysts advise against expecting revolutionary generational leaps across the entire base range:

• Internal Hardware: Incremental upgrades centered on advanced silicon optimized for on-device artificial intelligence tasks, improved thermal dissipation, and low-power display technology.
• Camera Enhancements: High-end iPhone 18 Pro variants are expected to feature a mechanical variable aperture on the primary sensor, enhancing depth-of-field management and dynamic range across varied light environments.
• Chassis and Battery Capacity: Expanded physical dimensions on the iPhone 18 Pro Max may house significantly larger battery cells, aiming to push battery endurance beyond the benchmarks set by the iPhone 17 generation.