iPhone 18 Pro Price Hike: A Surge in Samsung Memory Costs Could Make Apple’s Latest Flagships Costlier

Apple's latest iPhone 18 Pro series could get a major price hike as rising memory costs put pressure on the company's component budget. A new rumour suggests Apple has agreed to higher memory prices from Samsung for early 2027, potentially increasing the cost of DRAM and NAND storage used in its future flagship smartphones.

According to these rumours, the prices of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone 17 Pro could all go up in early 2027. However, the reported figures remain unverified, and Apple has yet to confirm any changes to its pricing strategy.

iPhone 18 Pro Could Get More Expensive Due to Memory Costs

According to a claim shared by tipster Raihan Han on X, Apple has accepted Samsung's revised memory pricing for the first quarter of 2027. The reported deal could see the cost of 12GB RAM increase by around 33%, while NAND storage prices may rise by approximately 27%.

If accurate, these increases could add to the manufacturing costs of Apple's future premium iPhones. Memory is a key component in flagship smartphones, and higher prices can affect manufacturers across the consumer electronics industry.

The reported price increases come amid growing demand for DRAM and NAND memory, driven in part by artificial intelligence servers, data centres and high-performance computing. This has put pressure on memory supplies and component pricing, potentially affecting smartphone makers such as Apple.

However, higher component costs do not necessarily mean consumers will face an equivalent increase in retail prices. Apple could absorb some of the additional expenses, adjust its margins or pass on the costs through higher prices in select markets.

Apple Could Face Additional Manufacturing Costs

Besides memory, Apple's future Pro models are expected to feature more advanced processors, potentially manufactured using TSMC's 2nm-class process. The transition to newer manufacturing technologies could increase chip costs, adding further pressure to the company's hardware budget.

Apple is also reportedly exploring alternative memory suppliers, including China's CXMT, to diversify its supply chain and potentially reduce costs. However, any such move would involve commercial, quality and geopolitical considerations.

Will Apple Increase iPhone 18 Pro Prices?

Apple has traditionally maintained a careful approach to iPhone pricing, particularly in markets such as India, where premium smartphones already command substantial prices. A significant price increase could affect upgrade decisions, although the company could also choose to protect its margins rather than absorb rising production costs.

For now, there is no confirmed iPhone 18 Pro price hike. The reported Samsung memory deal is based on an unverified tip, and Apple's eventual pricing will depend on component contracts, production costs, currency fluctuations and market conditions closer to launch.