The speculations regarding a $300 price increase for the iPhone 18 Pro series appear to be becoming more plausible.

      Memory expenses, a new 2nm chip, and an unavoidable margin contraction for Apple.

      A third independent supply chain analysis is indicating that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will see a price increase at launch, aligning with the findings of the previous two reports. Furthermore, Apple may need to accept a somewhat reduced margin on this device compared to its standard pricing for other products.

      Counterpoint Research has estimated that the bill of materials for the 12GB + 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max could rise by nearly $300 relative to the same configuration in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

      So, what insights does Counterpoint’s analysis provide?

      According to the infographic, while the costs of display and other components could actually be lower for Apple, the new 2nm chipset and enhanced camera setup are significant factors contributing to the updated bill of materials estimate.

      Nonetheless, the heaviest contributors remain the memory and storage. The infographic does not give specific comparative figures, but the accompanying graph suggests that the costs of both NAND and DRAM have increased significantly.

      To provide some context, this is the third time a major analyst firm has pointed out a considerable price hike for the iPhone 18 Pro Max: first by WSJ and TechInsights, followed by IDC’s Nabila Popal.

      Will Apple pass the entire $300 cost onto consumers?

      It’s highly likely, but not for everyone. The price increase is expected primarily for the flagship iPhone 18 Pro Max model featuring 12GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Therefore, Apple may transfer these increased component costs to consumers as a $300 price rise, depending on how keen they are to maintain the device’s gross margin.

      Currently priced at $1,599, a $300 increase for the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max would raise its price to $1,899, which is quite significant. For other versions, such as those with 256GB and 512GB of storage, the price rise could range from $100 to $200.

      Even if the exact figures differ by the time Apple officially launches the iPhone 18 Pro in September this year, one thing appears certain: the iPhone 18 Pro models will not debut at the same price point as the iPhone 17 Pro did in 2025.

      For over five years, Shikhar has been adept at simplifying developments in consumer technology and presenting them in an accessible manner.

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      An appealing mixture of fast Qi2.2 charging and portability that conveniently fits in a jeans pocket.

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      After Samsung and Apple, Oppo may join the ranks of the foldable phone market.

      Oppo is expected to make a move into the foldable space, potentially rivaling Samsung and Apple's offerings.

      Samsung is reportedly set to launch a shorter and wider foldable device, while rumors suggest Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a passport-like design. A new leak indicates that Oppo may be developing a similar wide-screen foldable that could be released in the first quarter of 2027.

      Google’s own Photos app has given Android users another cause to envy iPhone.

      A redesign of Google Photos that arrived on iOS months ago is now coming to Android with version 7.82.

      Android users of Google Photos will finally receive the streamlined bottom navigation bar that iPhone users have had since February. It’s unusual to see such delays for a Google app on its own platform, but the updated interface replaces the previous docked bar with a floating pill that does not obscure the photos beneath it and positions Gemini-powered Ask Photos alongside the main navigation.