Apple iPhone 18 Pro price leaks suggest softer hikes than expected
Tech consumers bracing for drastic price hikes on Apple‘s upcoming premium smartphones might find relief in newly leaked figures. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will reportedly see modest cost increases rather than the severe jumps previously forecasted by industry analysts.
Recent pricing circulation suggests the iPhone 18 Pro will cost about 10% more than its predecessor, while the Pro Max faces an 11% bump. Translating these percentages to US markets places the starting price of the Pro at $1,099 and the Pro Max at $1,299.
These figures contradict earlier market projections that warned of $150 to $200 increases. Research firm TrendForce previously estimated the standard Pro model would start between $1,249 and $1,299, pointing to escalating memory and component costs as the primary drivers.
Foldable flagship to test market limits
While the traditional Pro models temper their price increases, Apple’s rumoured first foldable device threatens to shatter existing smartphone pricing conventions. Anticipated to debut as the iPhone Ultra, the book-style foldable handset could start between $2,000 and $2,500. TrendForce narrows that entry window to $2,099 to $2,299. Consumers opting for higher-capacity configurations might face bills exceeding $3,000.
The astronomical price tag reflects the engineering demands of integrating a smaller external display alongside an expansive internal screen optimised for multitasking, gaming and video playback. Apple has maintained strict silence regarding both the specifications and the Ultra moniker ahead of its scheduled September 9 product showcase.
The 2026 product cycle also signals a fundamental shift in Apple’s release strategy. The technology giant will reportedly untether its premium and standard smartphone launches. The iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max and the experimental Ultra are slated for the September event. Conversely, the standard iPhone 18 and a newly rumoured iPhone 18e will likely face delays until spring 2027.
Buyers of the September releases can expect significant hardware revisions. The Pro lineup is slated to debut Apple’s A20 Pro chip built on a 2-nanometre manufacturing process. Additional upgrades include a reduced Dynamic Island footprint, overhauled camera arrays and a proprietary Apple-designed modem.
