Apple could be delivering its iPhone fans some rare pricing relief in 2026. A fresh price leak for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max suggests that despite rising component costs affecting much of the smartphone market, Apple may keep the pricing of its next flagship lineup similar to the current generation — potentially bucking the trend of price hikes seen across many Android flagships. This report comes from 91mobiles.
Stable Pricing Despite Industry Inflation
According to the leaked report, Apple is reportedly aiming to maintain the **starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro at around $1,099 and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at about $1,199 in the U.S., which mirrors the launch prices of the current iPhone 17 Pro lineup from 2025. This alignment is noteworthy given that memory and other core hardware costs have surged globally, forcing several Android manufacturers to either raise prices or cut back on hardware specs at similar price points.
The trend of rising costs is especially visible in components like DRAM and NAND flash memory, which have been impacted by heightened demand from AI data centers and supply constraints that are reshaping how makers price their phones. Many Android OEMs are already expected to raise prices in 2026 or reconfigure storage and RAM offerings to manage costs — making Apple’s approach a surprise to some industry watchers.
Apple’s Strategy to Offset Costs
Industry analysts cited in the report suggest that Apple’s ability to potentially hold prices steady could come down to supply chain leverage and cost negotiations. By securing more favorable deals with major suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix for components such as memory chips, and by optimizing costs for displays and camera parts, Apple may be able to shield customers from price inflation that’s affecting its rivals.
Another noted strategy includes Apple’s long-term partnerships and large order volumes with key component manufacturers — a bargaining power that smaller Android vendors may lack in the face of global memory shortages. This could allow Apple to pass less of the increased costs onto consumers compared to competitors.
What This Means for Buyers
For consumers planning to upgrade in late 2026, this pricing leak is seen as positive news. It suggests that buying the next generation of Apple’s flagship phones might not require significantly deeper pockets than last year’s models, at least at launch. In contrast, Android flagships from brands like Samsung and others could see noticeable price increases or reduced hardware specs as manufacturers adapt to rising component costs.
While official pricing and launch details are still months away, Apple’s rumored pricing strategy reflects an effort to remain competitive and attractive, especially in a market where cost consciousness is growing among buyers due to industry-wide inflation pressures.
Overall, if this leak holds true, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could offer both cutting-edge technology and relatively stable pricing — an uncommon combination in the current smartphone landscape.
