Apple is set to introduce the iPhone 18 series on September 9 at an event titled “Surprise and Shine.”
The company usually unveils its iPhone models at an event in September, but this time its strategy is changing, particularly with a significant shift in pricing.
This will be the first year in Apple’s history when the price of its cheapest new iPhone could come as a shock to consumers.
The reason is that the standard iPhone 18 is not expected to be launched until spring 2027.
This means that the cheapest new iPhone unveiled at the September 9 event will be the iPhone 18 Pro.
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to start at $1,099 (more than Rs304,000), provided Apple does not pass the higher cost of RAM on to consumers.
However, in June 2026, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that memory chip prices had increased significantly. Following this, various reports suggested that Apple could raise the prices of its iPhone models by at least $100.
At the same time, Apple is also expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone. If its price exceeds $2,000, Apple’s flagship phones this year will be among the most expensive ever.
Since 2020, there has been no major change in the prices of Apple’s iPhones, with the standard model starting at $829.
The Pro models previously started at $999, but the iPhone 17 Pro was launched last year at $1,099.
Since the standard iPhone 18 will not be unveiled at the September event, it is difficult to say how the availability or prices of previous models will change.
Therefore, the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be the cheapest new iPhone this year. If its price increases by $100, it would start at $1,199, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max would start at $1,299.
The iPhone 17 is currently selling for $829, while the iPhone 17e is priced at $599, meaning these will remain the cheapest iPhones available.
The iPhone Air starts at $999, while its second-generation model is expected to be launched in 2027 alongside the iPhone 18.
Also Read: Apple announces date for iPhone launch event
