Apple Faces Nearly $300 iPhone 18 Pro Max Cost Jump as Memory and 2nm Chip Prices Rise
Updated
Updated · 9to5Mac · Jul 9
Apple Faces Nearly $300 iPhone 18 Pro Max Cost Jump as Memory and 2nm Chip Prices Rise
3 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Jul 9
Summary
Counterpoint estimates the 1TB iPhone 18 Pro Max will cost nearly $300 more to build than the 1TB iPhone 17 Pro Max, pointing to a sharp rise in Apple’s flagship bill of materials.
NAND and DRAM are the main drivers as component shortages persist, while the expected 2nm system-on-chip and advanced packaging add another major layer of cost.
Those memory costs alone are projected to come close to the current model’s combined spending on NAND, DRAM, processor, camera, display and other parts.
Apple may offset some of the hit with different price increases by storage tier; Counterpoint says display and some other parts should get cheaper, but camera costs will edge up and margins still look slimmer even with an average $200 retail increase.