Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro could be more expensive than the current-generation model, although the expected price increase may not be as steep as some earlier reports suggested.
According to a new report citing Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple could price the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro at around $1,199 in the US. That would represent a $100 increase over the iPhone 17 Pro’s starting price.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could also reportedly receive a $100 increase, with its starting price potentially reaching $1,299.
However, buyers planning to purchase higher-storage versions may have to spend considerably more.
iPhone 18 Pro Expected Price
The latest pricing information suggests the iPhone 18 Pro could start at:
- iPhone 18 Pro: $1,199
- iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299
For comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro started at $1,099 in the US, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max started at $1,199.
The reported $100 increase would translate to roughly a 9 percent rise for the standard Pro model. While that is still a price hike, it is considerably lower than earlier predictions of increases ranging from $200 to $300.
Why Could Apple Increase the Price?
Apple is reportedly dealing with rising component costs, particularly for memory and storage. The upcoming Pro models are also expected to receive camera and hardware upgrades, which could further increase manufacturing expenses.
Other smartphone makers, including Samsung and Google, have also raised prices on some recent flagship models as component costs have increased.
Apple could therefore follow a similar approach while absorbing part of the additional expense instead of passing the entire increase on to customers.
Higher Storage Models Could Get a Bigger Price Hike
The headline $100 increase may not tell the complete story.
Earlier reports have suggested that the 256GB versions could see an increase of around $100, while models with 512GB, 1TB or higher storage could become $150 to $200 more expensive.
This means customers who usually purchase higher-capacity iPhones could face a significantly larger increase than those buying the base model.
For example, if Apple maintains a larger price gap between storage tiers, choosing a 1TB model could make the iPhone 18 Pro considerably more expensive than the entry-level version.
What Could This Mean for Indian Buyers?
Indian pricing is likely to be higher than a direct US dollar-to-rupee conversion. Apple typically uses separate regional pricing based on factors such as taxes, duties and market conditions.
Therefore, the reported $1,199 starting price should not be treated as the final iPhone 18 Pro price in India.
The actual Indian price will only become clear when Apple officially announces the device.
iPhone 18 Pro Launch Expected in September
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 lineup in September, following the company’s usual iPhone launch cycle. The exact launch date and complete pricing details have yet to be officially confirmed.
The new Pro models are expected to bring upgrades to the camera system and other internal hardware, although Apple has not confirmed the specifications.
iPhone 18 Pro Price: Good News or Bad News?
The latest pricing leak is a mixed bag for potential buyers.
A $100 increase for the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro would be better than earlier reports suggesting a $200-$300 jump. However, the situation could be different for customers who need more storage, as higher-capacity models may receive substantially larger price increases.
Ultimately, the base iPhone 18 Pro could remain relatively manageable, while the higher-storage versions may become significantly more expensive. Buyers considering an upgrade should therefore look beyond the starting price and compare the cost of their preferred storage option once Apple makes the announcement.
