Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro max could become one of the company’s most expensive smartphone lineups yet, according to a new forecast by market research firm IDC. The report suggests that Apple may significantly increase the prices of its next-generation Pro models, potentially making them up to $200 more expensive than their predecessors.
IDC’s latest prediction indicates that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could receive a price hike of as much as $200. Earlier estimates had suggested a smaller increase of around $100 for the Pro models and approximately $50 for the standard iPhone 18. However, after Apple recently raised the prices of several Mac and iPad models, IDC now believes the company could adopt a similar pricing strategy for its premium smartphones.
If the prediction proves accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could debut with a starting price between $1,249 and $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may be priced between $1,349 and $1,399. IDC also expects Apple’s first foldable iPhone to launch later this year with a starting price of around $2,500, with higher storage variants potentially reaching $3,000.
According to IDC, one of the biggest reasons behind the expected price increase is the rising cost of memory components. The iPhone 18 Pro models are widely rumoured to feature 12GB of RAM, and Apple has already increased prices on several recently launched devices with similar memory configurations, including certain Mac and iPad models.
Despite the anticipated price hike, IDC believes consumer demand for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is likely to remain strong. The research firm expects many users currently using an iPhone 15 or older to upgrade in order to access Apple’s latest Siri AI capabilities and other premium features. Additionally, buyers of Pro models are generally considered less sensitive to price increases, especially with monthly installment plans making flagship devices more affordable over time.
While Apple has not officially confirmed pricing or specifications for the iPhone 18 series, IDC’s latest forecast has already sparked discussion among technology enthusiasts, with many now closely watching whether the company will implement one of its biggest smartphone price increases in recent years.