Apple's iphone 18 pro series to keep prices flat amid rising chip costs

Apple navigates component cost hikes for 2027 iphones

Despite increasing prices for processor and memory chips, Apple aims to keep the starting prices of its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models the same as their predecessors, according to a research note from GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu.

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• Apple is expected to maintain the same pricing strategy for the iPhone 18 Pro series as the iPhone 17 Pro lineup.
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• Pu attributes Apple's ability to keep prices steady to the company's cost management focus and negotiations with suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix.
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• Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicts Apple will absorb component cost increases rather than raising prices, prioritizing market share gains over gross margin.
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• Kuo notes Apple's Services Business, which includes the App Store, Apple Music, and more, is expected to offset lower margins in hardware sales.
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• Rising memory prices, driven by strong demand from AI data centers, had been forecast to increase smartphone prices by 6% to 8% this year.
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Samsung's unpacked event date leaked, galaxy s26 price hike imminent?

Samsung's Persian Gulf unit accidentally revealed the February 25th date for its upcoming Unpacked event, rumored to unveil the Galaxy S26 series. With Samsung's own co-CEO hinting at price increases for the company's products, Apple may have an even stronger incentive to keep its iPhone 18 Pro prices flat this year.