While the iPhone 17 Pro has double the base storage compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, there will apparently be no further increase this year.
Taiwanese research firm TrendForce today again reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models will start with 256GB of storage, like the iPhone 17 Pro models.
Minimum storage capacities by model:
- iPhone 16 Pro: 128GB
- iPhone 17 Pro: 256GB
- iPhone 18 Pro (according to TrendForce): 256GB
Even though it does not expect an increase in base storage, TrendForce previously said that retail price increases for the iPhone 18 Pro models are "unavoidable" due to increased costs for components. RAM costs have increased significantly due to the ongoing memory chip shortage, and prices for storage and A20 Pro chips are also expected to be higher.
According to reports, iPhone 18 Pro starting prices in the U.S. could be $200 to $300 higher compared to iPhone 17 Pro starting prices. If so, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at up to $1,399 and $1,499, respectively.
In June, Apple raised prices on all Macs and iPads, as well as the Apple TV, HomePod, HomePod mini, and Vision Pro. The increases ranged from $30 for the HomePod mini to up to $1,300 for a high-end Mac Studio configuration.
Apple said it raised prices because of the ongoing memory chip shortage, resulting from companies building out data centers with powerful AI servers. The supply-demand imbalance has led to skyrocketing prices for RAM and SSD storage chips used in a wide range of Apple products, and Apple has now passed those costs on to customers.
Apple's former CEO Tim Cook previously commented that price increases were "unavoidable" due to "a hundred-year flood" on memory pricing.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro models during its September 9 event.
