Episode
199: The iPhone 18 Could Cost WAY More
- Podcast
- The MacRumors Show
- Published
- Jun 26, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2832
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://audioboom.com/posts/8921245
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Summary
This week’s episode of The MacRumors Show focuses on Apple’s surprise price hikes, the potential impact on the iPhone 18 lineup, new Apple Watch Ultra 4 rumors, and camera-equipped AirPods coming in 2027. 00:51 Apple Price Hikes Overview 02:00 iPhone 18 Price Hike Expectations 03:58 RAM/Storage Cost Breakdown 09:36 Why Upgrading Yearly Isn’t Necessary 11:49 When Could Price Hikes Hit? 16:30 Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 Rumors 21:05 Apple Watch Health Features and Market Plateau 24:24 Should Apple Slow Down Annual Watch Releases? 33:18 iPhone 18 Pro: Colors and Durability 34:50 Foldable iPhone Launch Timing and Demand 38:11 AirPods With Cameras Apple has raised prices across nearly its entire product lineup, including Macs, iPads, Apple TV, HomePod, and Vision Pro, citing soaring RAM and flash storage costs driven by AI infrastructure demand. Price increases ranged from $30 to as much as $1,300, while iPhones, AirPods, Studio Display, and accessories were left unchanged for now. Apple also brought back the 256GB Mac mini at a higher $799 price. Those same component costs could lead to significant iPhone 18 Pro price increases this fall. Industry estimates suggest Apple may need to raise prices by around $270 to maintain margins, with the iPhone 18 Pro potentially starting around $1,399 and the Pro Max around $1,499 , partly due to more expensive camera hardware. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain its aluminum design while introducing new colors, including a signature Dark Cherry finish, though reports suggest the finishes could be prone to chipping similar to last year’s models. Apple is still expected to launch the iPhone 18 lineup alongside its first foldable iPhone, tentatively called the iPhone Ultra , in September. The foldable is rumored to feature a 7.8…