Apple's iPhone 18 Pro may cost $100 more, bucking earlier price estimates

The iPhone 18 Pro's entry-level model is anticipated to carry a starting price of $1,199, representing a 9 percent increase from the iPhone 17 Pro's $1,099 base price. This represents a more measured approach than earlier speculation, which had suggested the device could launch at $1,299–$1,399.

While the base storage configuration will see a modest price adjustment, Apple appears poised to implement more aggressive pricing for higher-capacity variants. Models with expanded storage options are expected to command price premiums of $150–$200 compared to their predecessors, reflecting increased component costs and storage technology expenses.

The pricing strategy suggests Apple is attempting to balance consumer demand with rising manufacturing and supply chain costs. The differentiated approach—with steeper increases for premium storage tiers—may reflect the company's effort to encourage consumers toward base configurations while capturing margin improvements on higher-end models.

These anticipated price points come amid broader industry trends of rising smartphone costs driven by advanced semiconductor pricing, improved camera systems, and enhanced processing power. Indian consumers, accustomed to relatively stable pricing in the premium smartphone segment, may see these increases ripple through local pricing structures when the device becomes available in the subcontinent.