Apple is gearing up for its next major iPhone launch, and this year could bring one of the company’s biggest changes yet. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to headline Apple’s September 9 event, while the long-rumoured foldable iPhone could finally make its debut.
While Apple has not officially confirmed the lineup or pricing, reports suggest Indian buyers may have to pay more for the new Pro models. Rising memory and storage costs, driven partly by the growing demand for chips from AI data centres, are reportedly among the factors behind the expected price increases.
Credits: Moneycontrol
iPhone 18 Pro Price in India
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start at around ₹139,900 in India, making it approximately ₹5,000 more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro, which launched at ₹134,900.
The 256GB variant is reportedly tipped to cost around ₹144,900. If these prices materialise, Apple would be continuing its strategy of positioning the Pro series firmly in the premium smartphone segment.
Despite higher prices, Apple’s Pro models remain among its most popular iPhones. The combination of premium hardware, cameras and exclusive features has helped the company convince many buyers to spend more than they would on the standard models.
For Indian consumers, however, the price increase could make the decision between the regular and Pro models more important than ever.
iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Cost Up to ₹1.6 Lakh
The iPhone 18 Pro Max could see an even steeper price tag. Current reports put its expected Indian price between ₹154,900 and ₹159,900.
The potential increase is reportedly linked partly to the rising cost of memory. Demand for DRAM and flash storage has increased as AI companies and data-centre operators compete for memory chips, pushing component prices higher.
The big question is how much of those increased costs Apple will pass on to customers. Apple could absorb some of the additional expense to maintain demand, or it could use the higher prices to protect its margins.
Either way, buyers looking for Apple’s biggest conventional iPhone may need to prepare for a price approaching ₹1.6 lakh.
The Foldable iPhone Could Cost Nearly ₹2 Lakh
The biggest surprise at Apple’s event could be the company’s first foldable iPhone.
Long-rumoured for years, the device is reportedly expected to sit under an iPhone Ultra branding strategy, although Apple has not confirmed the name.
The foldable could reportedly cost between ₹189,900 and ₹209,900 in India, putting it firmly in luxury smartphone territory. Higher-storage versions could potentially cross ₹2.3 lakh.
Reports have suggested a starting price close to $1,399 in the US, although the final international pricing structure remains unknown.
If Apple does launch the device at these levels, it would make clear that the foldable is not intended to replace the regular Pro models. Instead, it could become the company’s most expensive and technologically ambitious iPhone.
Apple Could Turn the Foldable Into a Luxury Device
Apple’s pricing strategy could create a clear hierarchy within the iPhone family.
The iPhone 18 Pro would remain the premium choice for most buyers, while the Pro Max would cater to those wanting a larger flagship. The foldable iPhone Ultra, meanwhile, could occupy an entirely different category aimed at customers willing to pay a significant premium for a new form factor.
That strategy would also allow Apple to experiment with foldable technology without disrupting its established Pro lineup.
For consumers, the choice could ultimately come down to priorities: familiar flagship hardware at a relatively lower price, or Apple’s first major step into foldable smartphones at a luxury-level cost.
Credits: AndroBranch
September 9 Could Reveal Everything
For now, all of these prices remain unofficial estimates. Apple has yet to confirm the devices, their names or their Indian retail prices.
If the reports are accurate, however, Apple’s September 9 event could introduce not only a new generation of iPhones but also a major shift in the company’s pricing strategy.
The iPhone 18 Pro may remain the more practical premium option, while the foldable iPhone Ultra could become Apple’s new statement device — and potentially one of the most expensive mainstream smartphones ever sold by the company.
