How much could the iPhone 18 Pro cost?
What's the story
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models could be priced aggressively, according to analyst Jeff Pu. The strategy is part of Apple's plan to compete with the rising costs of Android smartphones. Despite the increasing production costs in the smartphone industry, Apple is likely to keep the starting price of its next-generation iPhones unchanged in the US market.
Market maneuver
Apple to absorb rising supply chain costs
Apple is said to be ready to absorb the rising supply chain costs instead of passing them on to consumers. This strategy was previously hinted at by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested that Apple could leverage the current market conditions by keeping prices stable and gaining more market share while competitors continue hiking smartphone prices.
Pricing forecast
What about pricing in India?
If the current leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at around $1,099 while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may continue at roughly $1,199 in the US market. This would mean no major price hike over its predecessor model despite rising component costs. However, Indian consumers may not be as lucky with Apple, often raising prices in India due to currency fluctuations and import costs.
Tech advancements
iPhone 18 Pro lineup to come with A20 Pro chip
The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to bring several notable hardware upgrades. The models are likely to retain the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch OLED displays as their predecessors, but with a much smaller Dynamic Island, nearly 35% narrower than before. Performance improvements are also expected with the new phones, rumored to feature Apple's new A20 Pro chipset for better CPU performance and power efficiency.
Tech transition
In-house cellular modems for next-gen iPhones
Apple is also said to be moving away from Qualcomm by developing its own in-house cellular modems. After introducing its custom C1 modem with the iPhone 16e, Apple is now working on the next-generation C2 modem for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This move further highlights Apple's commitment to improving battery life with larger batteries on its next-generation Pro iPhones.