Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could see a $200 price increase, per IDC analyst Nabila Popal, driven by a global memory crisis and higher component costs. This potential hike would raise the starting price of the Pro to $1,249–$1,299 and the Pro Max to $1,349–$1,399. Popal noted that prior forecasts of $100 increases for Pro models were revised upward after Apple’s recent $300 Mac and iPad price jumps, signaling a shift away from modest hikes. The firm attributes the change to supply constraints impacting tech across industries.

The proposed increase hinges on the iPhone 18 Pro’s 12GB RAM configuration, mirroring pricing trends in devices like the M4 iPad Air ($150 hike) and M5 iPad Pro ($200 hike). While some consumers may balk at higher prices, IDC argues the move won’t deter upgrades. Over 54% of iPhones shipped since 2022 require new models to access Siri AI, and Pro buyers are “premium-focused and less price sensitive.” Monthly payment plans could further soften the financial impact, with a $200 hike amounting to roughly $5 per month over 36 months. Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, expected to cost $2,500 on average, might also influence pricing strategies by absorbing some memory cost burdens.

The memory crisis and rising component costs are reshaping Apple’s pricing strategy, with the iPhone 18 Pro serving as a test case for how premium devices absorb external pressures. IDC’s analysis suggests the Pro Max’s price jump may not hurt sales, as consumers prioritizing AI features like Siri are likely to upgrade regardless. This aligns with broader industry trends where supply chain challenges force manufacturers to pass costs to buyers. The foldable iPhone’s premium pricing could act as a balancing act, allowing Apple to maintain profitability without inflating prices across its lineup. The $200 hike, if implemented, would mark a significant departure from Apple’s recent history of smaller, incremental changes.