The iPhone 18 Pro might be the most expensive base-model iPhone Apple has ever sold. Multiple reports now suggest a starting price of up to $1,399 in the US, a meaningful jump from the current iPhone 17 Pro’s $999 starting point. Apple hasn’t confirmed anything, and figures between $1,299 and $1,399 are both circulating depending on the source.
The reason behind the potential increase isn’t a mystery; the Wall Street Journal published the specific numbers. 12GB of DRAM for the iPhone 18 Pro is estimated to cost Apple around $145, up from approximately $39 for the iPhone 17 Pro’s memory. 256GB of NAND storage jumps from roughly $13 to $51. Those aren’t rounding errors, they’re structural cost increases driven by AI data center demand consuming the same memory components that go into every smartphone.
Add a redesigned variable aperture camera system, next-generation AI hardware requirements, and the broader component inflation affecting the entire industry, and the math starts making sense even if the number still stings.
The hardware reportedly justifying that price includes the A20 Pro chip on 2nm, a smaller Dynamic Island with partial under-display Face ID, 12GB RAM, improved OLED display technology, and better battery life. Colors rumored at launch: Dark Cherry, Light Blue, and Silver-Gray.
September 8 or 9 remains the expected announcement date, per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Nothing official yet.
Discover more from Phoonomo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
