iPhone 18 about to get MORE expensive? Apple price hike warning sparks panic

If you were already planning to upgrade to the next iPhone… you might want to sit down.

Apple is reportedly preparing to increase prices across its devices — and yes, that could include the upcoming iPhone 18 — as rising component costs put pressure on production.

According to outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook, the company is facing a sharp increase in the cost of essential memory components, driven largely by global supply chain stress and surging demand.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Cook said retail price adjustments are becoming “unavoidable” as supplier costs continue to rise beyond sustainable levels.

While Apple has not confirmed which products will be affected, or when the changes could take effect, uncertainty is already building around the upcoming September launch cycle — traditionally when new iPhones are announced.

Industry experts say the pressure is being fueled by the global artificial intelligence boom, which has massively increased demand for advanced semiconductors used in smartphones, laptops, and data infrastructure.

At the same time, geopolitical disruptions have reportedly affected the supply of helium — a critical gas used in chip manufacturing — pushing memory prices sharply higher since late 2025.

Cook noted that Apple has tried to absorb rising costs for as long as possible to protect consumers, but the scale of the increase is now forcing the company to reconsider its pricing strategy.

The concern is not isolated to Apple. Other major players, including Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), have already warned that memory shortages could lead to higher prices across the entire consumer electronics market.

Apple has already adjusted parts of its product lineup in recent months, including price increases on certain Mac models.

Despite the pressure, the company continues to perform strongly, reporting double-digit growth in hardware sales earlier this year.

But for consumers, the big question now is simple:

If this trend continues — how expensive is the next iPhone actually going to be?