Bad news for iPhone fans around the world. It seems that we're in for new price hikes, as Apple was forced to sign a new memory deal with a supplier for the first quarter of 2027. The supplier in question is Samsung, and it could result in even more expensive iPhones in 2027.
Apple signs a memory deal with Samsung
Samsung has raised the DRAM and VNAND prices by 30-40%. | Image by Samsung
Earlier this week, news broke that Apple was discussing a new deal with Samsung. The Korean company reportedly gave Apple a quote, and according to X (formerly Twitter) leaker Semiconductor Insider, the figures are not pretty.
We're talking about DRAM chips at around $2 per gigabyte, or $24 for a 12GB module, and NAND storage prices at $0.33 per gigabyte ($85 for 256GB of storage). These prices are 30–40% higher than current rates.
This Wednesday, DigiTimes reported that Apple had signed the deal, accepting Samsung's higher component prices for 2027.
The next iPhone models will most likely be even more expensive
The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299. | Image by Gadget Flow
A 30–40% price hike on key components is no joke. That's a significant hit for Apple, and the company will be reluctant to take one for the consumer and reduce its profit margins. We are much more likely to see another iPhone price hike in 2027.
Apple already bumped up the prices for pretty much all iPhones the company sells by $100. The iPhone 18 Pro now starts at $1,199, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max will set you back $1,299 for the base model.
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Apple also raised the prices of older iPhones, and the iPhone 17 now begins at $899 (it was a great deal at $799, though).
Would you buy the iPhone 18 at $999?
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The iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 could be next
The iPhone Air 2 could get even more expensive next year. | Image by PhoneArena
Apple decided to split the iPhone release, launching the Pro models and the iPhone Duo this year and postponing the launch of the more budget-oriented iPhone 18e and the regular iPhone 18 to early 2027.
The budget-focused iPhones might not be that budget next year, though. If Apple indeed uses Samsung chips in those models, and the company doesn't want to suffer a profit hit, we're in for another $100 price hike.
This would put the starting price of the iPhone 18e at $799—the same as the base iPhone 17 when it launched last year. The iPhone Air 2 could be even more expensive, matching the Pro at $1,199.
Android phones won't be any cheaper
The Galaxy S27 Ultra could start at a whopping $1,499. | Image by IceUniverse
If you're thinking of getting a Galaxy device (the next Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be a beast, but also start at a whopping $1,499) or a Pixel phone instead to save some cash, you're out of luck.
Android manufacturers face the same difficulties, and Apple historically gets the best prices from suppliers. This means Samsung's prices mentioned above are "as good as they get" for phone manufacturers, and Android brands could pay even more — meaning your next Galaxy or Pixel phone might be even more expensive than an iPhone.
Read more news about unfortunate price hikes and chip shortages here:
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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