Two separate analysts are now saying the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,399, and the component shortage story behind it is the same one that just hit Roku and Xbox. This fall’s upgrade math has changed for many people. While new “leasing” options from Apple may help with month-to-month costs, overall cost increases are always hard to swallow.
What always amazed me is that the “supercomputer in your pocket” now comes at roughly the same cost as the “supercomputer on your desk,” making it comparable to desktops and laptops. Of course, the prices of desktops and laptops are going up as well due to component shortages. I guess it’s a bit of a sliding scale.
We shouldn’t be surprised by these increases. But it does make you stop and think about skipping cycles during the upgrades. Apple is going to have to make the iPhone 18 really amazing to get people to jump in and pay the “surcharge.” My honest opinion: wait it out. Skip a cycle (or two). The tech will continue to improve, component supply will eventually mellow out, and prices will level out.