Analyst Predicts 10-20% iPhone Price Increase Amid RAM Shortage

Anticipation for Apple’s “Surprise and shine” event, where the company is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone Ultra and new iPhone 18 models, is now tempered by warnings of a major price hike. The global market research firm TrendForce forecasts a 10-20% increase for the upcoming iPhone 18 series. This is a direct result of a continuing RAM shortage. Escalating hardware costs are to blame, with the price of memory components for some models jumping by an astonishing 400%. The following sections break down these price adjustments, the cost pressures driving them, and the wider market consequences.

Overview

The core of TrendForce’s 10-20% price forecast is a dramatic surge in memory costs. Consider one specific example. The memory components for the 256GB Pro model are projected to be nearly 400% more expensive in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. Apple already responded to the RAM shortage by raising prices on other products back in June, but iPhones were not included in that round of adjustments. The firm believes that even with Apple’s aggressive negotiations to lower the cost of other parts, those efforts will be insufficient to absorb the sheer scale of the overall increase in material expenses.

The firm’s pricing models get quite specific. The new foldable iPhone Ultra is projected to launch with a starting price between $2,099 and $2,299, and could even climb as high as $3,000. Meanwhile, the more conventional premium models are also set for a jump, with the iPhone 18 Pro expected to begin at $1,199-$1,299 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299-$1,399. Speaking to CNET, a representative from TrendForce clarified that although upgrades to the processor and camera systems add to the total bill of materials, the dramatic spike in memory prices is overwhelmingly the most significant reason for the new pricing structure.