The upcoming iPhone 18 could pack a bigger battery and a faster processor, but shoppers might also face a price hike.
Apple already raised the iPhone 17’s starting price from $799 to $899 in September. And the iPhone 18 Pro models launched with higher prices, as well.
It seems likely that base-model iPhone 18 buyers will face another price jump in a few months.
iPhone 18 price hike follows iPhone 17 increase
The iPhone 18 Pro models are already on the market several months ahead of the standard iPhone 18. Apple just started a new launch strategy — delaying the base model until the first half of 2027, breaking from its usual practice of introducing the entire iPhone lineup together each September. The staggered release gives the Pro models a head start while Apple prepares its less expensive models for a later launch.
Well-known Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station shared the details of the upcoming model in a post on Tuesday. It includes a prediction that the iPhone 18 would be more expensive than the current base iPhone model.
It’s unclear whether that increase would be measured against the iPhone 17’s original $799 price or its new $899 price, and whether that would apply in the U.S.
Rising memory costs could be the reason why. Earlier this year, Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal that Apple was no longer able to absorb the higher cost of memory and storage chips.
This could also be the reason why Apple says it’s unsure when iPhone Duo supply constraints will ease.
iPhone 18 rumors: What to expect
Digital Chat Station claims the standard iPhone 18 will keep its 6.3-inch OLED screen along with the Dynamic Island and Face ID. The dual rear camera is expected to stay at 48 MP, the same as last year.
The big change is the battery. The iPhone 17 has a 3,692mAh battery, and the leaker says next year’s base model would have a bigger one. The iPhone 18 is also tipped to sport the 2nm based A20 chip.
The increased battery, combined with better power efficiency, could help stretch battery life even further.
When to expect it
Don’t expect the iPhone 18 anytime soon. Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro series and iPhone Duo in September, and the iPhone 18 is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. It would arrive alongside the iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2.
Apple hasn’t revealed anything about the iPhone 18, annd until it does, take all of this with a grain of salt.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
