[REVISION HISTORY]

Apple iPhone 18 launch: DRAM shortage, price hike, and delay

Updated 35 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-31 17:36 UTC → 2026-09-18 07:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra face significant supply chain disruptions due to a global DRAM shortage. An internal memo leaked on 5 August 2026 confirmed a September 9 keynote for these devices, which feature the 2-nm A20 Pro chip and 12 GB RAM. As of 7 August, reports confirm that TSMC is holding approximately US$1 billion worth of unpackaged A20 Pro chips because the necessary memory modules are unavailable. This bottleneck is tied to Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging, as manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron prioritize high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers. To manage component availability, Apple is reportedly planning a two-phase launch strategy. The premium models are expected to debut around September 9, 2026, while standard models like the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 may be postponed until early 2027. On 29 August, new reports indicated that Apple may deviate from its traditional pre-order schedule. Instead of the usual Friday launch, pre-orders might begin on Saturday, September 12, 2026, potentially due to sensitivities surrounding the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Additionally, pre-order times may shift from 5:00 AM PT to midnight local time. Rising manufacturing costs for RAM, NAND flash memory, and the transition to 2nm processes are ~~also~~ expected to drive price ~~hikes. Estimates suggest~~ hikes, with estimates suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro could ~~see an~~ increase of by approximately ~~$100, potentially reaching a starting price of $1,199. On 31 August,~~ $100. Maintenance concerns ~~emerged regarding the high cost of hardware maintenance.~~ have also intensified. Repairing a foldable iPhone display could cost approximately $1,155, ~~a figure~~ significantly higher than Samsung’s estimated ~~$579 for comparable repairs. This is attributed~~ $579, due to ~~Apple’s supply chain margins and~~ a design where the display and 3D-printed hinge form a single integrated unit. Additionally, for devices from the iPhone 13 generation onwards, repairs for ‘other damages’—such as motherboard or liquid damage—have become more expensive, sometimes requiring refurbished replacements costing up to 1,059 euros. Meanwhile, analysts at Jefferies have maintained an ‘Underperform’ rating, noting that currency appreciation in China may result in lower-than-expected price increases for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, potentially impacting profit margins.

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