[News] Apple’s iPhone 18 Lineup Takes Shape: Prices Seen Rising 10–20%, Foldable May Start Above US$2,000
Apple’s upcoming iPhones could see notable price increases, with the foldable iPhone Ultra expected to carry the steepest premium. According to PhoneArena, current estimates put its U.S. starting price at around $2,000 to $2,500. Leaked Vodafone listings offer some clues. In Egypt, the iPhone Ultra was briefly listed at EGP 155,750, about 75% above the iPhone 17 Pro’s EGP 88,799. A separate Vodafone Australia leak points to a starting price of AUD 3,699, 85% above the iPhone 17 Pro’s AUD 1,999. Applying a roughly 80% premium to U.S. pricing would put the iPhone Ultra at about $1,999.
TrendForce similarly expects Apple’s highly anticipated foldable to command a significant premium, estimating a starting price of US$2,099–2,299, with top-end configurations potentially exceeding US$3,000. TrendForce notes that its pricing could also set an important benchmark for future generations.
Beyond its premium pricing, durability is emerging as another key focus for Apple’s first foldable. Longtime Apple reporter Mark Gurman told Tom’s Guide that the iPhone Ultra could have an advantage over the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and other foldable phones, thanks to its rumored Liquid Metal hinge. The hinge reportedly features a teardrop-shaped internal cavity designed to reduce mechanical strain. However, the iPhone Ultra may come with some trade-offs compared with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Tom’s Guide notes that the foldable is rumored to lack both a telephoto zoom camera and Face ID for device unlocking.
Looking at the broader market impact, TrendForce expects the iPhone 18 Fold to benefit from Apple’s strong brand appeal. However, its relatively late shipment schedule and limited initial production and inventory mean its impact on overall foldable smartphone penetration will not be immediate. TrendForce estimates foldables will account for only around 2% of the global smartphone market in 2026.
Memory Costs Add Pressure to iPhone 18 Pro Pricing
Price increases for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be more moderate. As noted by PhoneArena, an Egyptian leak puts the two models at EGP 98,000 and EGP 105,000, respectively, representing increases of about 10% and 11% from their predecessors. A similar increase in the U.S. would translate into roughly a $100 price hike, putting the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299, matching the current starting price of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra before expected increases for the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
Rising memory costs are adding to Apple’s pricing pressure. According to TrendForce, memory prices have been in a major upcycle since the second half of 2025, with memory costs for the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro expected to be nearly 400% higher YoY in 3Q26. Apple has sought lower prices for other components, but the savings are unlikely to offset the pressure on overall BOM costs. TrendForce expects prices for Apple’s new models to rise by around 10–20%, with the company expected to absorb some of the higher costs to help preserve market share.
Read more
- Memory Costs Drive Up iPhone 18 Series BOM; AI and Pricing to Shape Upgrade Demand, Says TrendForce
- [News] Apple’s First Ternus-Era Launch Event Set for Sept. 9, Foldable May Debut; Standard iPhone 18 Eyed for 2027
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