Apple may raise iPhone prices as early as Monday, August 10, according to tipster Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo. The leak follows Apple's June price increases on MacBooks and iPads, and comes amid an industry-wide memory chip crunch that has forced multiple vendors to pass component costs to buyers.
Fixed Focus Digital labeled the claim a rumor but added that Apple has also cut production capacity for current iPhone models, dropping production lines from 30% to 15%. The tipster did not name specific SKUs.
How much did Apple raise MacBook and iPad prices?
Apple’s Next Price Hike Is Going to Hurt
In June, Apple raised prices across several product lines. The MacBook Pro M5 Max climbed by up to ₹1 lakh. The Apple TV 4K jumped from ₹14,900 to ₹25,900, a 74% increase.
At the time, Apple told CNBC: "The consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge. The rapid expansion of AI data centres has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly."
What does IDC predict for iPhone 18 Pro pricing?
Market intelligence firm IDC now forecasts a price hike of up to $200 for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to launch next month. IDC had earlier predicted a $100 increase for Pro variants and $50 for base models, but revised its estimates upward after Apple's June hikes hit $300 on some products.
For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro launched at $1,099 (₹1,34,900 in India), and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at $1,199 (₹1,49,900). If IDC's revised forecast holds, the iPhone 18 Pro could land between $1,200 and $1,300, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max may reach $1,299 to $1,399.
Why is Apple raising prices now?
Apple is not alone. Multiple consumer electronics companies have raised prices on current and older-generation products, citing the memory chip shortage and broader component inflation. The surge in AI data center demand has tightened supply for memory and storage chips across the industry.
Earlier reports suggested Apple would absorb the component cost increases to gain market share. That strategy appears to have shifted. Analysts now expect real price increases rather than margin compression.
Logicity's Take
If the August 10 hike materializes, buyers in the market for a current-gen iPhone have a narrow window. But the bigger story is the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. A $200 increase would push the Pro Max past $1,300 for the first time. For enterprise buyers managing device fleets, that delta compounds fast. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google's Pixel 10 Pro could look more attractive purely on cost, though neither has announced pricing for fall launches.
What buyers should watch
Apple has not confirmed any price changes. The Monday deadline comes from a single Weibo tipster, so treat it as unverified. If you are planning an iPhone purchase, pricing on Apple's India store will clarify the situation quickly on August 10.
The larger question is how Apple prices the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September. IDC's revised $200 estimate is a forecast, not a leak. Apple could still choose to absorb part of the increase, particularly if competitors hold the line.
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Source: mint / Aman Gupta
Huma Shazia
Senior AI & Tech Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
