Apple's iPhone 18 Pro to Cost Up to $1,319 Amid Memory Price Surge

Apple is preparing to launch its priciest iPhone to date, the iPhone 18 Pro, with the base model potentially costing as much as US$1,319, largely due to a significant rise in memory expenses. According to TrendForce, a market research company, the prices for the upcoming iPhone series are expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent, with memory costs for the 256-gigabyte iPhone 18 Pro model nearly 400 percent higher than last year. The report indicates that Apple is taking a 'moderate' pricing stance, absorbing some of the component cost hikes to preserve market share in a challenging economic climate. The launch is slated for Wednesday morning in California, featuring the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and a foldable model, with standard versions arriving in the first quarter of next year. The foldable iPhone, equipped with a dual-camera and capacitive fingerprint sensor, is projected to start between US$2,099 and US$2,299, with premium versions possibly surpassing US$3,000. This price increase mirrors wider trends in the smartphone industry, where memory chip prices have soared, affecting both manufacturers and consumers. Apple's pricing strategies are under scrutiny as it navigates these cost challenges while striving to maintain its competitive position.