Chinese tipster Smart Pikachu claimed on Weibo that the upcoming flagship could be priced from 11,000 yuan (US$1,625) in China, putting it in the same price range as some premium foldable devices, according to tech website PhoneArena.
The rumored price would be roughly $400 higher than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199 in the U.S.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the iPhone Ultra, could be even more expensive. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently estimated that the device may cost as much as $2,500.
The anticipated price increase for the iPhone 18 Pro Max is reportedly linked to higher production costs. Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro processor is expected to use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing process, while rising memory prices are also pushing up smartphone component costs.
Concept photos of the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Photo from X
The alleged design of the 18 Pro surfaced after a June 29 cyberattack targeting Apple’s manufacturing partner Tata Electronics in India reportedly exposed images and footage of the device undergoing drop tests, according to MacRumors.
The leaked images showed a silver-gray 18 Pro with a more uniform rear design instead of the two-tone finish used on the 17 Pro models. The report said the camera lenses appeared to protrude further, while the Apple logo featured a reflective finish.
The 18 lineup is expected to mark a shift in Apple’s product launch strategy.
According to multiple reports, the 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and the foldable Ultra are expected to debut in September 2026.
The standard 18, more affordable version 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air are reportedly being delayed until spring 2027, departing from Apple’s long-standing practice of unveiling its entire flagship lineup at a single fall event.
