Apple CEO Tim Cook has warned that some Apple products may see price increases due to an ongoing memory shortage. The shortage has pushed memory prices higher across the supply chain. Apple has not shared exact pricing changes yet.
However, new estimates from a research firm give an early view of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro cost. The report suggests major cost pressure from memory and storage components. The iPhone 17 Pro with 12GB DRAM reportedly cost Apple $39 in memory last year. For the iPhone 18 Pro base model, the same 12GB DRAM could cost $145.
Storage costs are also rising sharply. The 256GB storage that previously cost Apple about $13 may now cost around $51. Production costs are increasing as well. The iPhone 17 Pro base model was reportedly built for about $582. The iPhone 18 Pro is now estimated to cost around $726 to produce.
Profit margins could also shift under these new costs. The base iPhone 17 Pro with 256GB storage sold in the US for $1,099. It delivered a 47% profit margin for Apple.
If Apple keeps a similar margin, the iPhone 18 Pro could be priced around $1,371. After standard pricing adjustments, the base model may land near $1,299. That would bring the gross profit margin down to about 44%.
Camera upgrades may add further pressure. Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a variable-aperture lens system. This new setup could cost at least 50% more than the current camera system. With that added cost, the base iPhone 18 Pro price could rise to around $1,399.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is also expected to get a price increase. It could start at $1,199, higher than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
