Apple iPhone price hike expected: Report
Live Events as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You
Live Events as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel If you were already bracing yourself for the price of the next iPhone, brace a little harder.Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to arrive in September 2026 with price tags that could be up to $300 higher than their current equivalents, according to multiple analyst estimates and industry reports. In Indian rupee terms, that translates to a potential increase of up to Rs 26,000 on the top-end model, depending on how Apple structures its India pricing.Apple has not confirmed any of this. But the volume and consistency of reports pointing in this direction is hard to ignore.The clearest picture on pricing comes from three separate sources, all pointing upward.According to a Times of India report, IDC has estimated that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at around $1,299 and $1,399 respectively, each up by roughly $200 from current starting prices. The Wall Street Journal has separately reported that the iPhone 18 Pro could begin at $1,399, citing rising RAM costs as a key driver. Counterpoint Research, as cited by Times of India, has gone further, estimating that the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost around $300 more than the equivalent iPhone 17 Pro Max, again due to component cost increases.To put that in context, the iPhone 17 Pro Max currently starts at around Rs 1,34,900 in India at the base storage tier.
A $200 to $300 increase at the top end, once taxes, import duties, and Apple's India pricing structure are factored in, could push the ceiling well past Rs 1,60,000.The cost pressures are largely attributed to two things: the move to a new 2nm chip, which is more expensive to manufacture, and a significant increase in RAM across the Pro lineup, which adds to the bill of materials.On the outside, the iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to look dramatically different from what came before it. Apple is reportedly keeping the same broad design language, though there are a few changes worth noting.As reported by Times of India, the chassis is expected to be slightly thicker, and the camera module is also likely to sit a little higher than on current models. Apple is also said to be working on a more unified rear finish, giving the back a cleaner overall look.The more eye-catching detail is a reported deep red colour option for the Pro models, which would be a new addition to the Pro palette if it makes it to production. Display sizes are expected to stay put at 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max.Apple is also said to be working on a smaller Dynamic Island, though Times of India notes there are conflicting reports on whether that particular change arrives this year or gets pushed to a later cycle.The camera system is where the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to make its most meaningful leap.The headline addition, as reported by Times of India, is a variable-aperture main camera, a feature that lets users control how much light reaches the sensor by physically adjusting the aperture opening.
The BriefWire