The countdown to Apple's keynote has begun. Next Wednesday, September 9th, the Cupertino company will unveil its new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max , along with its first foldable phone. Expectations are sky-high, especially since leaks have hinted at a generation with significant improvements in photography, design, and even portability.
One of the most talked-about topics is the potential price increase. Analysts suggest that the DRAM and NAND memory crisis, driven by the demand for artificial intelligence, will significantly increase manufacturing costs. This could translate into a price hike of between 100 and 200 euros in Europe, something consumers will directly notice.
Price increases due to the memory crisis
The cost of components is skyrocketing. According to TechInsights, a 12GB LPDDR5X RAM module has jumped from $39 to $145, a 272% increase. 256GB NAND storage has also seen a dramatic price surge, with a 292% year-over-year increase. TrendForce, meanwhile, estimates that Apple is paying 400% more for DRAM than it was a year ago. This situation has led experts to predict that the iPhone 18 Pro will be more expensive in the final price of the Pro models.
In the Spanish market, the most conservative projections place the base iPhone 18 Pro at €1.419, while the Pro Max would start at €1.569. If the price increases by €200, the former would approach €1.500 and the latter would exceed €1.600. To try and offset this, Apple has reportedly renegotiated the cost of the OLED screens, but this wouldn't be enough to avoid the financial impact.
Camera with variable aperture
One of the most anticipated new features is the addition of a main camera with variable aperture, a technology not previously seen on any iPhone. This system would allow users to physically adjust the amount of light entering the sensor, resulting in portraits with more natural background blur and more accurate exposure in low-light situations. Recent leaks suggest this feature could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max , as the mechanism requires more internal space, which the larger model can offer thanks to its bigger battery.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously predicted that this lens would be 50% more expensive than the current one, reinforcing the idea that Apple will reserve it for its high-end models. Although there have also been rumors that the standard Pro model might include it, most sources indicate that only the Pro Max will debut it. We'll have to wait for the keynote to confirm this.
Smaller Dynamic Island and C2 modem
Another significant new feature is the reduction of the Dynamic Island. According to recent reports, Apple has managed to miniaturize this element by 35%, freeing up screen space. It's a subtle change, but one that improves the visual experience and gives more prominence to the content.
In addition, the iPhone 18 Pro will debut Apple's own C2 modem, replacing Qualcomm chips. This new component promises faster download speeds than the C1 and C1X, as well as improved energy efficiency and enhanced privacy. It's another step in the company's strategy to integrate its own hardware.
Filtered colors and presentation date
A video leaked hours before the event showed purported demo units in two colors: sky blue and dark cherry. These colors align with rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro's color options , which suggested that silver would be dropped from the lineup, something that hasn't happened since the original iPhone. While the absence of silver hasn't been confirmed, the images reinforce the idea that Apple is opting for bolder colors.
The presentation will take place on September 9th at 19:00 PM (Spanish Peninsula Time) and can be followed on Apple's website. It will be the first major event with John Ternus as CEO, following Tim Cook's departure. Along with the iPhone 18 Pro, the presentation of the foldable iPhone Ultra and the new Apple Watch is expected. The event promises to be key to learning all the details of a generation marked by rising costs and photographic innovations.
In short, the iPhone 18 Pro will arrive with a higher price tag, a more versatile camera, and a less prominent Dynamic Island. Updated colors and the new C2 modem complete a package that, while not revolutionary, aims to justify the price with tangible improvements.
