If you have been planning to buy the iPhone 18 Pro when it launches this September, you may need to prepare for a much higher price. Recent reports suggest Apple could introduce one of the biggest price increases for its Pro iPhones in years. While earlier estimates pointed to only a modest hike, newer analyst reports indicate the increase could be far steeper, with the Pro models potentially becoming $250 to $300 (roughly Rs 28,000) more expensive.
According to reports from analysts including GF Securities' Jeff Pu and Morgan Stanley's Erik Woodring, Apple is facing mounting production costs on multiple fronts.
One of the biggest contributors is expected to be the new A20 Pro processor, which is reportedly being manufactured using TSMC's advanced 2nm process. The next-generation chip is said to be significantly more expensive to produce than the current 3nm version.
The company is also dealing with rising memory costs. Prices of DRAM and NAND flash memory have surged amid growing demand for AI hardware across the industry. Coupled with larger batteries, upgraded camera systems and other premium components, the overall manufacturing cost of the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to increase substantially.
Earlier reports suggested Apple might absorb some of these additional costs. However, Jeff Pu's latest research note indicates the company is now more likely to pass a significant portion of the increase on to consumers. If that happens, the iPhone 18 Pro could become Apple's most expensive non-foldable iPhone to date.
Apple has not officially confirmed any of these reports. The company is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 series in September, with September 9 currently being tipped as the most likely launch date.
IPHONE 18 PRO: RUMOURED SPECIFICATIONS
Design: Apple is expected to retain the overall design introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro while making subtle refinements, including a smaller Dynamic Island, slimmer bezels and new colour options such as Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Silver and Dark Grey.
Display: The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to continue with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch OLED displays but upgrade to more efficient LTPO+ panels offering improved brightness and better power efficiency.
Processor: The Pro models are widely expected to feature Apple's new A20 Pro chip built on TSMC's 2nm process, paired with 12GB of RAM. The combination is expected to deliver faster performance, improved thermal efficiency and enhanced support for Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27.
Battery: Apple is also rumoured to be increasing battery capacity across the Pro lineup, particularly on the Pro Max. Combined with the power-efficient A20 Pro processor and LTPO+ display technology, the new models are expected to offer significantly improved battery life.
Cameras: One of the headline upgrades could be a 48-megapixel primary camera with a variable aperture, allowing the device to adjust the amount of light entering the sensor. Reports also suggest improvements to the telephoto camera along with a new 24-megapixel front-facing camera.
Connectivity: Apple is expected to introduce its in-house C2 modem, which could deliver better 5G performance, improved power efficiency and enhanced satellite connectivity.
EXPECTED IPHONE 18 PRICE IN INDIA
Apple has not announced official pricing for the iPhone 18 lineup. However, if current leaks and analyst estimates prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could be priced between Rs 1,39,900 and Rs 1,49,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may start between Rs 1,59,900 and Rs 1,69,900.
