Apple Reportedly Considers Rising Price of iPhone 18 Pro Max, Base Model May Get 12GB RAM but Downgraded Display

According to media reports citing industry analyst insights, Apple is considering raising the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max due to cost pressures from the global storage price hike, as part of its overall cost optimization strategy for the iPhone product line. It is reported that the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is currently expected to be $1,299, positioning it as Apple's most feature-packed mainstream smartphone yet. Furthermore, given Apple's active investment in on-device AI and Apple Intelligence, it is likely that entry-level and lower-tier models will adopt 12GB RAM paired with the technically newer M12+ display technology, rather than opting for  8GB RAM paired with a proven M14 OLED panel.  More memory unlocks larger AI models, better multitasking, and future-proofing for upcoming software features. The adoption of the M12+ OLED panel is primarily aimed at enhancing performance in the most critical areas, optimizing resource allocation to control costs, while maintaining display quality.