• 2 min read
iPhone 18 Pro may make buying now smarter
The iPhone 18 Pro may bring modest upgrades alongside price hikes of up to $300, making the current iPhone 17 Pro worth considering.
Image: 9to5Mac
Apple’s next iPhone launch is expected to look different. The base iPhone 18 has reportedly moved to a spring release schedule, leaving this September’s event focused on the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an entirely new foldable iPhone.
That timing raises a practical question: should buyers purchase an iPhone 17 Pro now, before Apple potentially raises prices?
What’s new in iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be a modest but meaningful upgrade rather than an “S year.” Reported changes include:
- A smaller Dynamic Island
- A variable-aperture main camera for more precise depth-of-field control
- New color options, including red
- Apple’s C2 modem, which would be the first used in a Pro iPhone and add 5G connectivity over satellite
- The A20 Pro, Apple’s first-generation 2nm chip
- A new N2 networking chip
- A redesigned Camera Control intended to reduce accidental activation
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to be thicker and include a much larger battery. Combined with the C2 modem, that could produce substantial battery-life gains. Both Pro models are expected to retain 12GB of RAM, matching the iPhone 17 Pro.
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Expected pricing and the case for buying now
The biggest uncertainty is price. Apple has already raised prices across its iPad and Mac lineups and warned that further increases could follow. Some estimates point to a hike of up to $300, although Apple could absorb part of the increase through lower margins.
The expected ranges are $1,199 to $1,399 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,299 to $1,499 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. By comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro currently starts at $1,099, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199.
The source argues that the iPhone 17 Pro should remain a strong purchase, particularly for buyers upgrading from an older model. With Apple’s current prices still in place—and an AI datacenter-driven memory crisis potentially lasting a couple more years—waiting may carry a higher cost than usual.
Gadgets Editor
Eli is obsessed with the tangible future. He reviews phones, wearables, and everything with a battery. Known for his rigorous testing protocols and unabashed teardowns, Eli has broken more review units than he cares to admit, all in the name of discovering the truth about durability and repairability.
via 9to5Mac
