Not long ago, an alarming iPhone 18 Pro Max rumor surfaced on Weibo, suggesting the flagship could cross the $1,600 mark. While we can't take this leak at face value, a possible price hike did raise an important question: how would a higher asking price affect your iPhone 18 Pro decision?
The answer, it turns out, is pretty clear.
Waiting is a winning strategy
An overwhelming trend emerges. | Image by PhoneArena
Over half of responders (55.79%) say a pricier iPhone 18 Pro Max would simply push them to keep their current iPhone for longer. For those readers, waiting is the winning strategy, with switching away from Apple seemingly off the table.
Although it's not clear exactly how long users are willing to wait, it shows that many would rather delay their next upgrade than pay a higher price for Apple's next flagship at launch.
Would a bigger price tag change your iPhone 18 Pro plans?
But some would buy in an instant
The second most popular response, reaching 20.39% of all votes, indicates some will upgrade no matter what. With Tim Cook having already acknowledged that a price hike is inevitable, Apple fans appear to be willing to absorb the hike rather than skip the upgrade.
Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable. We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, June 2026
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Still, with just 20% saying they'd buy an iPhone 18 Pro no matter the cost, there's apparently a ceiling to how much users are willing to spend. While a certain group of dedicated fans will always chase the latest hardware, most buyers appear to need a stronger reason to accept the higher price.
Android isn't completely out
The iPhone 17 Pro Max looks great next to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. | Image by PhoneArena
For 17.38% of voters, a price hike on the iPhone 18 Pro Max might be enough to push them toward Android. This result indicates that brand loyalty has its limits, especially when prices reach uncomfortable levels.
Curiously enough, an even smaller percentage of users would be willing to move down the Apple ladder. Only 6.44% of readers said they would opt for the standard iPhone 18, suggesting that many Pro buyers would rather wait or explore different options than settle for a non-Pro model.
There's a price limit, after all
This year, Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max with an A20 Pro chip, built on TSMC's 2nm process. Alongside the expected performance improvements, the devices might be equipped with a variable aperture camera, so there are quite a few things to look forward to.
And yet, even the most exciting upgrades should have a price tag that's justified, and it appears that not everyone is willing to pay it.
Whether users choose to postpone their upgrade, jump ship or opt for the standard iPhone 18, it's clear that there's a limit to how much we're willing to spend on our next iPhone.
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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.
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