- iPhone 18 Pro Memory Costs could rise sharply as DRAM prices surge.
- Apple may increase the iPhone 18 Pro price by around $100 instead of passing the full component cost to buyers.
- The rumored iPhone Ultra foldable could start near $2,299, with higher storage versions potentially crossing $3,000.
Apple could be entering yet another iPhone launch amid a dilemma. iPhone 18 Pro memory costs are suddenly shooting up, and Apple might have reached a point where it can absorb just about as much price hike as possible. According to the latest report from TrendForce, memory prices on the 256GB version of the iPhone 18 Pro will be close to four times higher than last year.
This has taken the bill of materials cost of the phone up by about 38%. Memory is getting a much larger share in the cost of the iPhone. Let us break down the story.
iPhone 18 Pro memory costs become a major concern
Numbers tell their own story. Last year, memory was roughly 10% of the cost of the components used in the Pro. TrendForce currently forecasts that the percentage might be around 34% for the third quarter of 2026 and might exceed 40% for the first six months of 2027.
In other words, this is no longer just an increase in the cost of one component. Memory is now one of the biggest cost drivers of the entire phone. This is happening throughout the entire industry as well. AI data centers have been using an insane amount of memory, putting a lot of pressure on both the supply and costs of the components.
In response to that, Apple already raised the prices for some of its Macs and iPads back in June, leaving the iPhone line alone.
Increase might be partially shouldered by Apple
What is most interesting is that Apple will not pass the entire increase to consumers. According to TrendForce, Apple is going to compromise on its gross margins in order to prevent a significant price rise of the iPhone 18 Pro despite the surge in its manufacturing cost.
Adjusting the prices of other iPhone models might also be one of the approaches that the company might use. It is quite logical to take such an approach since people tend to reconsider their purchase decision in the event of a drastic price increase.
Foldable iPhone could be even more expensive
Lastly, the report details the cost of the first-ever foldable iPhone from Apple will be rather high, as it is projected to start from $2,099 and reach $2,299. In addition, the price of the most costly models might be higher than $3,000.
Thus, the new release by Apple will not only introduce new products. It is clear that the iPhone 18 Pro Memory costs will make the company reconsider its profit margins per iPhone sold, as well as the value of services and software business.
However, for the consumer, the main conclusion should be rather simple: if all estimates prove right, the next version of the iPhone will turn out to be more expensive than the previous one. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
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