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iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Be Apple's Most Expensive Non Folding iPhone Yet, Leak Suggests

iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Be Apple's Most Expensive Non-Folding iPhone Yet, Leak Suggests

Apple has not changed the pricing of the iPhone 17 series, but the report claims the company could revise prices for the iPhone 18 lineup.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Rohan Pal | Updated: 24 July 2026 10:57 IST

iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Be Apple's Most Expensive Non-Folding iPhone Yet, Leak Suggests

iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to succeed the iPhone 17 Pro Max (pictured)

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Highlights

Apple may raise iPhone 18 Pro Max pricing
Apple reportedly secured early 2nm chip capacity
Rising memory costs may push prices higher

Apple could increase the price of its next flagship smartphone, according to a new leak from tipster Smart Pikachu. The leak suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with a noticeably higher starting price than its predecessor in China, potentially making it Apple's most expensive non-folding iPhone yet. The reported increase is said to reflect rising manufacturing expenses linked to next-generation hardware and memory costs. Apple has not announced pricing or confirmed any details about the upcoming handset.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Tipped to Get Major Price Hike Due to 2nm Chip

According to tipster Smart Pikachu (translated from Chinese) on Weibo, the iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at CNY 11,000 (roughly Rs. 1,56,700) in China. If the information proves accurate, the handset would cost around CNY 1,000 (roughly Rs. 14,200) more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max and become Apple's most expensive non-folding iPhone so far. At that price, the handset would sit alongside several premium foldable smartphones currently available in China.

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The higher price is likely related to rising production costs, with the A20 Pro chip and memory cited as the primary factors. The chip is tipped to be manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process, making the iPhone 18 Pro Max the first Apple smartphone to use the newer manufacturing technology.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Could Get a New Sony Sensor With Variable Aperture Tech

Industry estimates indicate that TSMC's 2nm wafers are priced at about $30,000 each, making them around 50 percent to 66 percent more expensive than 3nm wafers. As a result, the first generation of flagship chips built on the 2nm process is expected to cost more than 20 percent more to manufacture than current 3nm chips.

A report claims Apple has secured more than half of TSMC's initial 2nm production capacity for the A20 series, increasing manufacturing costs for the upcoming flagship lineup.

Memory prices are also said to be contributing to higher production costs. According to TrendForce data cited in the report, DRAM contract prices increased by 90 percent to 95 percent quarter on quarter during the first quarter. They rose by another 58 percent to 63 percent in the second quarter.

iPhone 18 Pro Max May Cost Apple Much More to Build Than Its Predecessor

The report adds that combined DRAM and NAND spot prices have climbed by more than 300 percent. The report says memory now represents more than one-fifth of a smartphone's overall component cost, up from roughly one-tenth to 15 percent earlier.

Several smartphone brands have already increased prices this year. Mid-range models have reportedly become CNY 300 (roughly Rs. 4,300) to CNY 800 (roughly Rs. 11,400) more expensive, while some flagship devices have recorded price increases exceeding CNY 1,000 (roughly Rs. 14,200).

Apple has not changed the pricing of the iPhone 17 series, but the report claims the company could revise prices for the iPhone 18 lineup if component costs remain high. The Cupertino-based tech giant could also introduce its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
The boldest redesign since the iPhone X
Bright and stunning display
A19 Pro under the hood guarantees excellent performance
Massive camera upgrade
Video quality gets a much-needed bump
Centre Stage camera at the front changes selfie game on iPhones forever
Improved charging speed

Bad
Aluminium body picks up scratches
Expensive
Heavier than the 16 Pro Max

Read detailed Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Apple, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 18 Series, iPhone, Apple A20 Pro, TSMC

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More