TrendForce forecasts 10-20% price hikes for Apple's iPhone 18 lineup over RAM costs
Market research firm TrendForce projects Apple will raise iPhone 18 prices due to a global RAM shortage, with memory costs for the 256GB Pro model expected to nearly quadruple year-over-year. The report estimates the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start between $1,299 and $1,399, while the foldable iPhone Ultra may launch between $2,099 and $2,299, potentially reaching $3,000.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Component shortages rippling through the memory chip market are forcing device makers to either absorb costs or pass them to consumers, and Apple's pricing decisions often set benchmarks across the smartphone industry. If these forecasts hold, buyers hoping for stable or lower prices will instead face some of the steepest iPhone price increases in years, right as Apple debuts its first foldable device.
- TrendForce expects iPhone 18 prices to rise 10-20% due to a RAM shortage.
- 256GB Pro model memory costs could be nearly 400% higher than last year.
- The foldable iPhone Ultra may start around $2,099-$2,299 and reach up to $3,000.
Anker MagGo Magnetic Power Bank — If you're holding on to your current iPhone rather than paying up for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, a magnetic battery pack is the cheapest way to get that "better battery life" upgrade now. Anker's MagGo snaps right onto the back of MagSafe-compatible iPhones and charges wirelessly, so there's no cable dangling while you scroll through Apple event rumors.
See Anker MagGo Magnetic Power Bank on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Dashia Milden, 2026-09-03
Published there as: “The iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Start at $1,300, an Analyst Predicts. You Can Thank RAMageddon for That”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.