Apple iPhone 18 Pro to Use LPDDR6 Memory and QLC NAND, Prompting $200‑$300 Price Rise

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature the new A20 Pro chip paired with 96‑bit LPDDR6 RAM, marking the first use of this memory standard in an iPhone. For the high‑capacity 1 TB and 2 TB models, rumors indicate a shift from TLC to QLC NAND flash to offset the rising cost of storage components. Analysts cite component‑cost pressure, especially for memory and storage, as the primary driver behind projected retail price hikes of roughly $200‑$300 compared with the previous generation. Sources note Apple may balance this by modestly adjusting base‑model pricing while leveraging its ecosystem lock‑in to maintain margins. The combined hardware upgrades and cost pressures are set to shape the iPhone 18 Pro launch slated for September 9, 2026.