iPhone 18 Pro price shock? Apple could hike prices by up to ₹26,000 as leaks reveal new colour, camera upgrades and 2nm chip

If you’re planning to upgrade to Apple’s next flagship smartphone, you may need to prepare for a significantly bigger budget. Fresh industry reports suggest the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with noticeable price hikes when they debut later this year.

While Apple has not officially confirmed any pricing or specifications, multiple analyst reports indicate that the Pro lineup may become the company’s costliest iPhones to date.

iPhone 18 Pro price could increase sharply

According to several industry estimates, the iPhone 18 Pro could start at around $1,299, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may begin at approximately $1,399.

That represents an increase of roughly $200 over the current generation. Some analysts believe the top-end 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max could see an even steeper increase of nearly $300.

If Apple follows a similar pricing strategy in India, the highest-end Pro Max variant could cost over ₹1.60 lakh, depending on taxes, import duties and exchange rates. However, Apple has not announced official Indian pricing.

Why are prices expected to rise?

Analysts believe two major hardware upgrades are driving the expected increase.

The biggest factor is Apple’s move to TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process, which is significantly more expensive than previous chip technologies. The company is also expected to increase RAM capacity across the Pro lineup, raising manufacturing costs further.

Although these upgrades may push prices higher, they are also expected to deliver better performance, improved efficiency and enhanced multitasking capabilities.

Subtle design changes with a new colour option

The overall design of the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to remain familiar, but reports suggest Apple is making a few refinements.

The chassis could become slightly thicker, while the rear camera module may protrude a little more than before. Apple is also reportedly working on a cleaner rear-panel finish for a more seamless premium appearance.

One of the biggest visual changes could be the introduction of a deep red colour option for the Pro models, potentially becoming the newest addition to Apple’s premium colour lineup.

Display sizes are expected to remain unchanged at 6.3 inches for the iPhone 18 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max.

Some reports also hint at a smaller Dynamic Island, although there is no consensus on whether that upgrade will arrive this year or in a future generation.

Major camera upgrades expected

Photography could be one of the biggest highlights of the upcoming Pro models.

Leaks suggest Apple is finally preparing to introduce a variable-aperture main camera, allowing users to physically adjust the amount of light entering the sensor for improved photography in different lighting conditions.

The telephoto camera is also expected to receive a wider aperture, helping deliver brighter and sharper images in low-light environments.

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In addition, reports claim at least one Pro model may feature a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung, designed to improve image processing speed while reducing digital noise.

A20 chip could lead the performance leap

Powering the iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to be Apple’s next-generation A20 processor, built using TSMC’s 2nm fabrication technology.

Some reports even suggest the Pro models could receive a more powerful A20 Pro variant, offering additional graphics and AI performance compared to the standard iPhone 18.

The new chipset is expected to improve battery efficiency significantly, with the iPhone 18 Pro Max also rumoured to feature a larger battery capacity for longer usage.

Faster connectivity and launch timeline

Apple is also expected to introduce its second-generation C2 modem, bringing faster 5G speeds and expanded satellite communication features in supported regions.

According to reports, the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone are expected to launch together in September 2026.

Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are reportedly being planned for a Spring 2027 release.

Until Apple makes an official announcement, all specifications, pricing and launch timelines should be treated as leaks and industry estimates rather than confirmed information.