iPhone 18 Series Launch Tipped for September 8, With a Major Price Hike
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 series in September 2026. Reports point to the second week of September, likely September 8, as the date when Apple will reveal the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra. Research firms such as IDC predict that the Pro models could see their biggest price jump in years, mainly because AI demand is driving up the cost of memory chips.
These details are based on reports and analyst predictions, not official announcements. Apple has not confirmed any pricing for the iPhone 18 series. CEO Tim Cook said the company is "still working through that." Estimates for the Pro models' price increase range from $50 (JPMorgan) to $270-$300 (TechInsights). Predictions for the foldable's price start above $2,000 and could reach $3,000 or more for higher storage. The expected launch dates follow Apple's usual schedule.
Here’s a summary of what has been reported about the iPhone 18 series so far: the expected launch date, staggered release, reasons for a possible Pro price increase, different analyst opinions, and expected costs for the foldable iPhone Ultra. All Indian prices are rough estimates, as Apple charges higher prices in India due to import duties and GST.
Reports and estimates suggest the iPhone 18 series will launch around September 8. The lineup will include the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra. The Pro is expected to cost $1,299 to $1,399 (about Rs. 1,55,000 to Rs. 1,70,000), with the Pro Max about $100 more (about Rs. 1,70,000 to Rs. 1,85,000). The Ultra could cost $2,000 to $2,500, and up to $3,000 for higher storage (roughly Rs. 2,30,000 to Rs. 2,90,000, and up to Rs. 3,40,000). These price increases are mainly due to a shortage of AI-related DRAM and NAND memory. The Pro models are expected to ship first, the Ultra a few weeks later, and the base iPhone 18 may be delayed until early 2027. None of this has been confirmed by Apple.
iPhone 18 Series Expected Launch Date and Staggered Release
Mark Gurman reports that Apple will follow its usual September schedule, announcing new iPhones on the first Tuesday or Wednesday after the US Labor Day holiday. Since Labor Day falls on September 7 this year, the most likely launch date is September 8, with September 9 as another possibility. The main highlights are expected to be the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra.
The iPhone 18 launch will not happen all at once. Reports say the release will be staggered. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are further along in production and should ship soon after the September event. The foldable iPhone Ultra is facing production delays, with mass production starting only in late July, so it may reach buyers a few weeks later. The standard iPhone 18 is reportedly delayed until early 2027, which is unusual for Apple, as it usually launches the base and Pro models together. This means the September event will focus on the Pro and foldable models, with the standard version coming much later.
iPhone 18 Series Price Could Increase Sharply
The main news is about pricing. IDC and other analysts expect Apple to raise prices on the Pro models, ending several years of mostly flat iPhone prices. The iPhone 17 Pro currently starts at $1,099 in the US (about Rs. 1,34,900 in India). Estimates for the iPhone 18 Pro range from $1,299 to $1,399, which is a $200 to $300 increase. In India, this could mean a starting price of Rs. 1,55,000 to Rs. 1,70,000 or more. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to cost about $100 more, or around Rs. 1,70,000 to Rs. 1,85,000 in India. In China, leaks suggest the iPhone 17 Pro's starting price of 8,999 yuan could rise to 9,999 yuan, while the Pro Max could reach 10,999 to 11,499 yuan.
Why do Indian prices run higher than the conversion? Direct dollar-to-rupee conversions do not reflect what Indian buyers actually pay, because Apple sets India prices much higher than US prices after adding import duties and GST. For example, the iPhone 17 Pro started at $1,099 in the US but around Rs. 1,34,900 in India, which is far above the roughly Rs. 94,000 a direct conversion would suggest. So if the iPhone 18 Pro rises to $1,299-$1,399 in the US, the Indian starting price would likely go well beyond Rs. 1,50,000, not just the converted figure. This would imply that it applies to the whole lineup, including the foldable, so all India figures here are estimates based on this pattern, not official prices.
The main reason, according to several reports, is a global shortage of DRAM and NAND flash storage, caused by AI data centres buying up memory at high rates. Research firm TechInsights estimates Apple paid about $39 for the 12GB of DRAM in the iPhone 17 Pro, but this could rise to $145 in the iPhone 18 Pro, a 272% increase for the same amount of memory. The 256GB storage tier could also go up from about $13 to $51.
TechInsights says the iPhone 18 Pro's total bill of materials is about 25 percent higher than the iPhone 17 Pro, at around $726, up from $582, and estimates Apple would need to charge about $1,371 (roughly Rs. 1,65,000 by the India pattern) just to keep its current margin. Tim Cook described the situation to The Wall Street Journal as a "hundred-year flood." Apple has already raised prices on Macs, iPads, and the Vision Pro by up to $300, but has not yet increased prices for the iPhone, AirPods, or Apple Watch.
Not every analyst agrees on the size of the price hike. JPMorgan stands out, predicting an increase of only about $50 instead of $200 to $300. They argue that Apple can offset memory costs by using its own C-series modem and that other component costs may drop as a result. After Apple's June 25 Mac and iPad price hikes, IDC changed its iPhone estimate to a $100 to $200 increase for the Pro and Pro Max, and about $50 for base models. Counterpoint estimates a $150 to $200 increase. The Wall Street Journal, considering a rumored, more expensive variable-aperture camera, suggests a price of $1,399 or higher. So, estimates range from a small increase to a steep $300 jump, and the final price will not be known until September.
The Foldable iPhone Ultra: Apple's Most Expensive Phone Yet
The main new product is Apple's first foldable phone, expected to launch as the Ultra. It will be a book-style device with tablet-like features when opened. Reports say it will be Apple's most expensive iPhone yet. Gurman says it will cost over $2,000, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks it could go beyond $2,500, and higher-storage versions might reach $3,000. In India, this means an estimated Rs. 2,30,000 to Rs. 2,90,000, and possibly over Rs. 3,40,000 for the highest-storage model. For comparison, the most expensive current iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB storage, costs $1,999, so the Ultra would create a new premium tier above the Pro Max. Its higher price is due to the foldable display and hinge, and reports say the iOS 27 beta already includes code for folding-device features.
Expected iPhone 18 Series Pricing vs the iPhone 17 Series
Model
Current Price
Expected Price
Price Change
iPhone 18 Pro
$1,099 (~Rs. 1,34,900 India)
$1,299–$1,399 (~Rs. 1,55,000–Rs. 1,70,000)
+$200–$300
iPhone 18 Pro Max
$1,199 (~Rs. 1,49,900 India)
$1,399–$1,499 (~Rs. 1,70,000–Rs. 1,85,000)
+$200–$300
iPhone Ultra (Foldable)
New Product
$2,000–$2,500 (up to $3,000 for higher storage) (~Rs. 2,30,000–Rs. 2,90,000, up to Rs. 3,40,000)
New Premium Tier
Base iPhone 18
$799 (iPhone 17)
Delayed to Early 2027
Not launching at September event
How to read this comparison: Every number in the expected column is just an estimate, and the range is wide. After Apple's June Mac and iPad price hikes, most US analysts expect a $100 to $300 increase for the Pro models, but JPMorgan's $50 estimate shows nothing is certain. The India figures are even rougher, since they depend on the final US price and Apple's India markup, so use them as a general guide. The foldable iPhone Ultra stands out, creating a new tier above the Pro Max and matching or exceeding rival foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at $1,999. Two key points: the base iPhone 18 is not expected at the September event and may be delayed to early 2027, and Indian buyers should expect prices much higher than the dollar conversion rates suggest. Until Apple announces the lineup in September, consider all of this well-sourced forecasting, not fact.
Expected iPhone 18 Series at a Glance (Reports and Estimates)
Category
Details
Status
Reports and analyst estimates; unconfirmed by Apple
Expected Event
Second week of September 2026 (likely September 8)
Source (Timing)
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman
Expected Models
iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Foldable iPhone Ultra
iPhone 18 Pro Price
Est. $1,299–$1,399 (~Rs. 1,55,000–Rs. 1,70,000)
iPhone 18 Pro Max Price
Est. $1,399–$1,499 (~Rs. 1,70,000–Rs. 1,85,000)
iPhone Ultra Price
Est. $2,000–$2,500 (up to $3,000) (~Rs. 2,30,000–Rs. 3,40,000)
Base iPhone 18
Reportedly delayed to early 2027
Release Pattern
Pro models first, Ultra a few weeks later
Reason for Price Hike
AI-driven DRAM and NAND memory shortage
Bill of Materials
Estimated to increase by ~25%
Analyst Estimates
Price increase ranges from $50 to $300 depending on analyst
India Pricing
Expected to be higher than direct US conversion due to import duties and taxes
What to Expect
Reports suggest this September will be especially important for Apple. A likely event on September 8 should introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-awaited foldable iPhone Ultra. This will be Apple's first folding phone and marks a real expansion into a new premium category. With component costs rising due to the AI-driven memory shortage, a price increase for the Pro models seems likely, and the Ultra is expected to be the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold, probably well over Rs. 2,30,000 in India.
There are still some uncertainties about the date and pricing. Apple has not confirmed either, and estimates for the Pro price increase range from $50 to $300. The rollout is expected to be staggered, with the Ultra arriving after the Pros and the standard iPhone 18 not expected until early 2027. For buyers, it is best to treat these numbers as a general guide, not final figures, and wait for Apple's September event for confirmed details. Indian buyers, especially, should expect prices much higher than the dollar conversions suggest.
Bottom Line: iPhone 18 series launch tipped for September 8 (second week of September) by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, featuring the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone Ultra. Pro models expected to ship first, the Ultra a few weeks later, and the base iPhone 18 reportedly delayed to early 2027. Pricing is estimated, not official: iPhone 18 Pro around $1,299 to $1,399 (est. Rs. 1,55,000 to Rs. 1,70,000), Pro Max about $100 more (est. Rs. 1,70,000 to Rs. 1,85,000), and the foldable Ultra from roughly $2,000 to $2,500, up to $3,000 for high storage (est. Rs. 2,30,000 to Rs. 2,90,000, up to Rs. 3,40,000). Cause: an AI-driven DRAM and NAND shortage, with DRAM costs alone tipped to jump 272 percent. Analysts disagree on the size, from JPMorgan's $50 to TechInsights' $270 to $300. Apple has confirmed nothing, and India prices will run well above these US figures.
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FAQs
1. When will the iPhone 18 series launch?
Reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman point to the second week of September 2026, most likely September 8, following Apple's usual schedule after the US Labor Day holiday. Apple has not confirmed a date.
2. What models are in the iPhone 18 series?
The September event is expected to feature the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple's first foldable, widely known as the iPhone Ultra. The standard iPhone 18 is reportedly delayed to early 2027.
3. How much will the iPhone 18 Pro cost?
Estimates range from about $1,299 to $1,399 in the US, up from the iPhone 17 Pro's $1,099, though JPMorgan suggests the increase could be as small as $50. In India, that points to an estimated Rs. 1,55,000 to Rs. 1,70,000 or more. Nothing is confirmed.
4. Why are iPhone 18 prices expected to rise?
Mainly because of a global shortage of DRAM and NAND memory caused by AI data center demand. TechInsights estimates the iPhone 18 Pro's DRAM cost alone could jump from about $39 to $145, raising the total build cost by roughly 25 percent.
5. How much will the foldable iPhone Ultra cost?
Reports suggest it will cross $2,000, with estimates up to $2,500 and higher-storage versions potentially nearing $3,000. In India that points to an estimated Rs. 2,30,000 to Rs. 2,90,000, and beyond Rs. 3,40,000 for high storage, making it Apple's most expensive iPhone ever.
6. Will all iPhone 18 models launch at the same time?
No. Reports indicate a staggered rollout, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max shipping first, the foldable iPhone Ultra arriving a few weeks later due to production delays, and the base iPhone 18 not expected until early 2027.
7. Has Apple confirmed any of this?
No. Apple has not confirmed the launch date, the lineup or any pricing. Tim Cook said only that the company is "still working through" which devices will see price increases.
8. Do all analysts agree on the price hike?
No. Estimates vary widely, from JPMorgan's modest $50 to TechInsights' $270 to $300. IDC and Counterpoint land in the middle, at roughly $100 to $200 for the Pro models.
9. How much will the iPhone 18 Pro cost in India?
Apple has not announced India pricing, and India figures run well above dollar conversions due to import duties and GST. Given the iPhone 17 Pro started near Rs. 1,34,900, an iPhone 18 Pro could climb beyond Rs. 1,55,000, though this is an estimate.
10. Is the foldable iPhone worth waiting for?
As Apple's first foldable, it is a major new product, but it is expected to be very expensive and may arrive after the Pro models. Wait for the September event for confirmed specifications, pricing and availability before deciding.
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Nirajan BoharaUpdated: Aug 12, 2026·15 min read
