iPhone 18 Pro Price Set to Rise Sharply Due to Memory Costs: Forecasts and Reasons

Reasons for price increases and shortages in the memory market

As Apple CEO Tim Cook recently noted, the ongoing global semiconductor shortage is leading to an inevitable increase in component costs, which will directly impact retail price tags for consumers. The weakest link in the supply chain now is memory (RAM and ROM), which is becoming more and more difficult and expensive to purchase.

Comparison of characteristics and cost of parts

According to research, the rise in prices for hardware production will indeed be colossal. Last year, a 12GB DRAM chip for the iPhone 17 Pro cost Apple $39. In the basic modification of the future iPhone 18 Pro, a similar volume of 12 GB can cost Cupertino residents a record $145. Prices for permanent NAND storage have changed in a similar way. If a 256 GB drive on the iPhone 17 Pro board previously cost the company about $13, then in the case of the iPhone 18 Pro model this part is estimated at about $51. According to final calculations, the production of just the base iPhone 17 Pro unit was about $582, and the cost of manufacturing the base for the new iPhone 18 Pro will increase to a whopping $726.

Calculation of the expected retail price of new products

Apple’s gross profit margin on the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro model was about 47%, while the US MSRP was $1,099. Experts say that in order to maintain the usual level of profitability, Apple would have to set the price of the new iPhone 18 Pro at $1,371. Most likely, the brand’s retail appetites will be optimized – the final cost for buyers of the basic version will be set at $1,299 with a reduction in gross margin to an acceptable 44%.

New features: variable aperture camera and increased cost

The problems do not end with the rise in price of RAM. Insider leaks promise the iPhone 18 Pro will have an improved camera module with a sophisticated variable aperture lens. It is expected that such a premium camera will be 50% more expensive than current modules when produced. If implemented, the final retail price of the basic iPhone 18 Pro set could easily reach $1,399. In this regard, the price list of the larger version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, the base model of which previously launched at $1,199, will also increase proportionally.

Is it worth buying the iPhone 18 Pro

Of course, a jump in cost to $1299 or $1399 for some may be a good reason to postpone the upgrade. However, it is worth considering that the increase in price is entirely supported by the transition to an improved RAM platform and revolutionary improvements to the mobile shooting system with a physically variable aperture. Those for whom it is important to have flagship photographic capabilities will find the new model extremely interesting. Budget-conscious users can still recommend purchasing the stable iPhone 17 Pro.

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