Planning to buy iPhone 18 Pro at launch price? Start saving now and thank us later

If buying Apple’s latest iPhone every September is part of your yearly ritual, or if this is the year you are finally planning to join the Pro club, it is time to start saving. Seriously. Because this year’s flagship iPhone lineup isn’t just expected to bring shiny new features, it is also tipped to come with a much bigger price tag.

Apple hasn’t confirmed the iPhone 18 series yet, but the Pro models are widely expected to make their debut this September. And while the rumour mill is buzzing about a DSLR-style camera, the new A20 Pro chip and a striking Dark Cherry finish, there’s one speculation your bank account will probably care about even more. A possible price hike of up to Rs 20,000 over the iPhone 17 Pro series.

Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start between Rs 1,59,900 and Rs 1,69,900 in India. That’s potentially Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 more than the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, which starts at Rs 1,49,900. The iPhone 18 Pro is also expected to cost more than the iPhone 17 Pro, which launched in India at Rs 1,34,900.

So yes, if you have been quietly putting money aside for the next iPhone, you may want to bump up those savings.

Why is Apple expected to charge more?

Well, Apple has already increased prices for some of its products this year, and reports suggest the company could also revise prices across parts of its existing iPhone lineup in August. If that happens, the next big jump could come with the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Why? Well, blame it on the ongoing chip and memory crunch.

The tech industry has been grappling with soaring RAM and storage chip prices this year, and Apple isn’t immune to it. With AI becoming the next big battleground, demand for high-performance memory has surged, pushing up the prices of DRAM and NAND chips.

In simple terms, some of the most expensive components inside a smartphone, including memory chips, now cost significantly more than they did a year ago.

Then there’s the new A20 Pro chip. Apple is expected to build it using TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing process. While the chip is tipped to deliver faster performance, better battery efficiency and smoother Apple Intelligence features, it’s also far more expensive to produce than the previous generation.

Add premium camera hardware, rising manufacturing costs, import duties and Apple’s regional pricing strategy to the mix, and all these factors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro series could see a noticeable price hike this year.

iPhone 18 Pro rumoured specifications

So, what do you get for paying more? While the iPhone 18 Pro isn’t expected to get a dramatic redesign, reports suggest Apple could be focusing on meaningful upgrades where they matter most.

The biggest talking point is expected to be a variable-aperture main camera. If the leaks are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro will be able to adjust how much light enters the lens, much like a professional DSLR. In everyday use, that could translate into brighter low-light photos, more natural-looking background blur and greater creative control while shooting.

Battery life is also tipped to get a welcome boost. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is rumoured to pack Apple’s biggest battery yet, while the regular Pro model is also expected to see an upgrade. Pair those larger batteries with the next-generation A20 Pro chip, reportedly built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm process, and a more efficient LTPO+ OLED display, and the new Pro models could deliver noticeably better battery life without compromising on performance.

Reports also suggest Apple could shrink the Dynamic Island by moving more Face ID components under the display. The Pro models are also expected to feature a next-generation C2 modem for faster 5G and better satellite connectivity, upgraded telephoto cameras, a redesigned Camera Control button, and new colour options, including the much-talked-about Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Silver and Dark Grey.

Of course, it’s worth noting that none of these prices or features are official. Apple has confirmed nothing so far, and the final price could end up being different when the iPhone 18 Pro is unveiled.

But if the leaks prove accurate, one thing already seems clear. The iPhone 18 Pro may not just demand your attention this September, it could demand a bigger slice of your bank account too.

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