iPhone 18 Pro Max May See Up to 20% Price Hike in India

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 series is already generating a buzz, but it’s not just the new features that are catching eyes – the price tag might be the real show‑stopper. According to market‑research firm TrendForce, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could end up costing 10‑20 percent more than its predecessor, especially for Indian shoppers.

Why the jump? The smartphone world is in the throes of a severe RAM shortage. TrendForce puts the cost of memory for a 256 GB Pro model in Q3 2026 at almost four times what it was a year ago. That kind of surge is hard to ignore, even for a cash‑rich giant like Apple.

Apple has tried to soften the blow by negotiating with suppliers and trimming expenses elsewhere, but those savings likely won’t swallow the entire hike. Earlier this year the company nudged up prices on a few accessories because of higher memory costs, yet the iPhone line was spared – at least for now. With the 18 series on the horizon, that exemption may disappear.

What does a 10‑20 percent rise look like in rupees? If Apple follows the same percentage as the global estimate, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be noticeably pricier than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which currently sits around ₹1,39,900 for the base variant. A 20 percent bump would push the price well past the ₹1,60,000 mark, though Apple will confirm the exact numbers at its September launch event.

And there’s another wildcard on the table – the much‑rumoured foldable iPhone, possibly dubbed “iPhone Ultra.” TrendForce predicts it could start at $2,099‑$2,299 and peak near $3,000 for top‑tier specs, translating to an eye‑watering price in India. If Apple indeed rolls out a foldable, it will sit firmly in the ultra‑premium camp.

Beyond pricing, the iPhone 18 series isn’t expected to be a massive performance leap. Instead, Apple appears to be fine‑tuning the chip for better AI handling, power efficiency, and cooling. The Pro models may debut a mechanical variable aperture for the main camera, offering more creative control over depth‑of‑field. The larger chassis of the Pro Max should also accommodate a bigger battery, potentially extending daily endurance.

All told, the combination of soaring RAM costs, a possible 20 percent price hike, and the speculative foldable could make the iPhone 18 launch one of the most expensive upgrades Apple has ever rolled out.