iPhone 18 Pro Price Leak: Apple Could Increase Prices by Up to $300 Ahead of September Launch

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup could arrive with a significantly higher price tag than its predecessor, according to a fresh report. Industry analyst Jeff Pu, cited by MacRumors, claims the company may increase prices by $250 to $300 for its next-generation Pro models due to rising production costs.

If the report proves accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro series would witness one of Apple's largest premium smartphone price increases in recent years.

It is important to note that Apple has not officially confirmed the pricing or specifications of the iPhone 18 lineup.

Expected iPhone 18 Pro Price

According to the latest report:

• iPhone 18 Pro: Could cost $250–$300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro.
• iPhone 18 Pro Max: Could also see a similar increase.

For comparison:

• iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099
• iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199

If the leak is accurate, Apple's premium smartphones will enter an even higher price bracket.

Expected India Price

Although Apple has not revealed official pricing, reports suggest:

• iPhone 18 Pro could launch at well above ₹1,34,900
• iPhone 18 Pro Max may cost considerably more than ₹1,49,900

Actual Indian pricing will depend on taxes, import duties and Apple's regional pricing strategy.

Why Could the iPhone 18 Pro Become More Expensive?

The reported price hike is said to be driven by multiple factors, including:

• Adoption of TSMC's next-generation 2nm A20 processor
• Rising DRAM and NAND memory costs
• Increased demand for semiconductor components due to the AI boom
• Higher manufacturing expenses across the supply chain

The report suggests Apple may have little choice but to pass part of these costs on to consumers.

Expected iPhone 18 Pro Features

Leaks indicate several hardware upgrades for the upcoming Pro lineup.

Display

The devices are expected to retain their current screen sizes:

• 6.3-inch display on iPhone 18 Pro
• 6.9-inch display on iPhone 18 Pro Max

Rumours also point to:

• Smaller Dynamic Island
• Brighter LTPO+ OLED panels
• Better power efficiency

Camera Upgrades

Apple is reportedly working on:

• Variable aperture camera technology
• Improved low-light photography
• Better exposure control in bright environments
• Enhanced image quality

Performance

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature:

• Apple's new A20 chip
• TSMC's advanced 2nm manufacturing process
• Improved speed
• Better AI performance
• Increased battery efficiency

Battery and Connectivity

Leaks also suggest:

• Larger battery on the Pro Max model
• Apple's in-house C2 modem
• Improved network performance
• Better power management

Expected Launch Date

According to current rumours, Apple may unveil:

• iPhone 18 Pro
• iPhone 18 Pro Max
• Apple's first foldable iPhone

during its September 2026 launch event, which is expected to take place around September 12.

Reports indicate the standard iPhone 18 lineup—including the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2—could arrive later in Spring 2027.

Apple has not officially confirmed the launch schedule.

What Should Buyers Expect?

If the latest reports are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro series will focus on premium hardware upgrades, AI-driven performance improvements and camera enhancements, but buyers may have to pay substantially more than previous generations.

Until Apple officially unveils the devices, all pricing, specifications and launch details should be treated as rumours.

FAQs

How much could the iPhone 18 Pro cost?

Leaks suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could become $250–$300 more expensive than the current iPhone 17 Pro.

Why is Apple reportedly increasing iPhone 18 Pro prices?

The expected increase is linked to higher manufacturing costs, including the new 2nm A20 chip, memory prices and component shortages.

When will the iPhone 18 Pro launch?

Reports suggest Apple could unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup during its September 2026 event.

What new features are expected?

Rumoured upgrades include a 2nm A20 chip, variable aperture camera, brighter LTPO+ display, smaller Dynamic Island, improved battery and Apple's C2 modem.

Has Apple confirmed the iPhone 18 Pro price?

No. Apple has not officially announced the pricing, specifications or launch date of the iPhone 18 Pro series.