According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's iPhone 18 won't be immediately impacted by the ongoing RAM supply and cost crisis. Despite rising memory prices affecting the tech industry, Apple's established contracts with suppliers are providing a buffer. Kuo anticipates Apple will avoid raising iPhone 18 prices, at least in the short term, to offset these costs.

This positive outlook stems from Apple's strong negotiating power with suppliers. Unlike many competitors, Apple secures favorable pricing through quarterly negotiations, mitigating the immediate impact of increased LPDDR memory costs. The company is expected to absorb some costs to maintain market share, even if it slightly affects profit margins. This strategy is common for Apple.

However, the situation isn't entirely rosy. The analyst notes that rising component costs could eventually impact Apple's bottom line. The price of an LPDDR5X memory module, for example, more than doubled in 2025. Apple may offset these costs with increased Services revenue.

Ultimately, the ability to insulate consumers from price hikes is a key factor. Kuo believes Apple will prioritize maintaining current pricing to boost sales. The memory crisis is expected to be a key topic in upcoming earnings calls. The focus will be on the iPhone 18 and its pricing strategy.