Cupertino: Apple’s upcoming iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro are expected to carry substantially higher retail prices, driven by rising component costs, advanced hardware upgrades and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the global semiconductor supply chain.
According to industry reports, Apple’s first foldable iPhone could be priced at around $2,000 or more, positioning it as the most expensive iPhone ever launched. Analysts believe Apple may use the premium foldable device as a flagship ultra-premium offering while restructuring its overall iPhone pricing strategy.
The expected increase in prices is largely linked to soaring costs of memory and storage chips. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently acknowledged that price increases across Apple products have become increasingly difficult to avoid because of a global memory chip shortage fueled by massive demand from AI infrastructure and data centers.
Industry estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could see a price increase of as much as $200–$300, potentially raising the starting price from around $1,099 to approximately $1,299 or higher. The increase reflects higher costs for DRAM memory, NAND storage and Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro processor, which is expected to be built using an advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing process.
Reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will feature significant upgrades, including improved AI capabilities, enhanced cameras, larger memory configurations and more powerful processors. These additions are expected to increase manufacturing costs considerably compared to previous generations.
The foldable iPhone is expected to serve as Apple’s new ultra-premium category, with some analysts suggesting that its higher margins could help Apple limit price increases on other iPhone models. However, continued pressure on component costs may still force the company to raise prices across parts of its product portfolio.
For consumers, the development signals a shift in smartphone pricing as AI-driven demand reshapes the semiconductor industry. Rising memory costs, advanced chip technologies and increasingly sophisticated AI features are pushing manufacturing expenses higher across the technology sector.
Apple has not officially announced pricing for either device, but industry observers expect more details when the company unveils its next-generation iPhone lineup later this year. Until then, reports suggest that buyers considering an iPhone Fold or iPhone 18 Pro should prepare for some of the highest prices ever seen in Apple’s smartphone range.
