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Apple may avoid a major increase in the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro lineup despite mounting pressure from rising component costs. According to reports, the company is considering pricing strategies that would keep the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models at their current prices. The pressure for such measures stems from the electronics industry’s general trend toward higher manufacturing costs driven by expensive memory chips.
Over the past year, prices for DRAM and NAND have risen steeply globally. This is attributed to the demand from AI firms and data centers, which require large amounts of advanced memory. The trend has started to influence the smartphone sector, especially the high-end range, due to higher hardware costs.
A few Android brands have been forced to raise the prices of their flagship devices due to soaring hardware costs. However, Apple appears to be taking a slightly different path by stealthily keeping the initial prices of its flagship devices high.
However, if the company sticks to its current plans, the initial price of the entry-level iPhone 18 Pro in India may not change. Nevertheless, industry specialists hold the view that with such pricing plans, Apple will be able to compete with rivals in the premium smartphone segment, since the latest devices from various companies have become more expensive.
Moreover, it will enable Apple to sustain strong demand from customers who upgrade their devices every two or three years despite rising electronics costs and monthly subscription fees.
It should be noted that not all iPhone 18 models may benefit from this price decrease. As reports indicate, Apple may hike prices on high-capacity iPhone 18 models, such as the 512GB and 1TB variants, to cover higher production costs. According to analysts, this was a common tactic the tech giant used in the past to boost profits.
This means that customers who want a top-tier iPhone 18 will still have to pay more than entry-level Pro versions, which may see no price changes at all.
Also Read: iPhone 17 gets over Rs 10,000 discount in Flipkart sale
The latest report further hints that there might be some changes to Apple’s launch strategy for the new iPhone series 18. According to leaks, it is possible that the Cupertino-based tech giant will opt for a staggered launch of the iPhones, with the non-Pro versions arriving later.
For consumers, the report presents a mixed picture. Buyers planning to purchase the standard Pro models may avoid a major price shock this year. Those looking at premium storage configurations, however, could still end up paying significantly more once the iPhone 18 lineup officially launches.
