iPhone 18 Pro Price in India Could Cross Rs 1.4 Lakh as Apple Prepares for Its First Foldable

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and first foldable iPhone could launch in India at significantly higher prices. Here’s everything revealed by the latest pricing leak.

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Apple's September iPhone launch event will be quite different from previous years this time around. Rather than announcing the entire range of iPhones at once, Apple is speculated to announce their premium iPhones, such as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, during this event. Moreover, Apple is also speculated to make its entry into the foldable smartphone segment with its first-ever foldable iPhone, called the iPhone Duo, by tipster Yogesh Brar.

Before the official announcement, Yogesh Brar has revealed the alleged Indian prices for Apple's premium line-up of iPhones along with the company's most anticipated foldable phone. If this leak happens to be true, then it could mean that Apple will be launching the devices in India at a relatively high price point.

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max Price in India Tipped

According to the most recent leak, the iPhone 18 Pro will retail at a starting price of Rs 1,44,900 in India, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max will come with a starting price of Rs 1,59,900. The upcoming foldable iPhone, nicknamed the iPhone Duo by Brar and presumed to be named the iPhone Ultra, is reported to have a starting price of Rs 2,49,900.

Based on the leaked prices from the US, it is stated that the iPhone 18 Pro will cost $1,199, the iPhone 18 Pro Max will cost $1,299 and the foldable will retail at a whopping price of $2,299. According to the latest conversion rates shared by the leak, the aforementioned prices will translate into about Rs 1.13 lakh, Rs 1.23 lakh and Rs 2.17 lakh respectively. However, it must be noted that the Indian prices will obviously be higher owing to taxes, duties and Apple’s regional pricing policy.

It must be highlighted that the alleged pricing of the iPhone 18 Pro will mark yet another increase in Apple's Pro line-up in India. The iPhone 17 Pro is available at a starting price of Rs 1,34,900, thus, the leak iPhone 18 Pro will cost Rs 10,000 more expensive than its predecessor.

The pricing of the iPhone from Apple is getting more expensive year after year in India. To put things into context, the iPhone 11 Pro was launched in 2019 for Rs 99,900, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro costs Rs 1,34,900 to begin with. Despite variations in prices over different generations, the general tendency is toward pricier Pro smartphones.

Remarkably, Apple, along with other companies such as Samsung and Google, was one of the very few smartphone manufacturers to avoid hiking smartphone prices mid-cycle during the recent memory shortage. In this regard, the newly adopted pricing model may be seen as a deliberate price hike.

iPhone 18 Pro Could Get Major Hardware Changes

The increased cost can come with a number of hardware updates. It is reported that the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will have Apple's latest generation A20 Pro chipsets which will be produced using a 2nm process. Other hardware improvements can be found in the Dynamic Island where Apple can make changes to it and create a smaller version.

Another hardware improvement that the iPhone 18 Pro Max may get is an improved camera system. Reports suggest that the bigger Pro device will have a variable aperture 48MP primary camera system. With a variable aperture, users will have better control of how much light goes into the camera.

These hardware improvements will allow Apple to support the high pricing for the Pro models as the company positions its Pro lineup as the flagship smartphone lineup.

Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Could Cost Rs 2.5 Lakh

Apple’s first foldable iPhone will probably come out as the biggest shocker. Brar mentions that the phone, called iPhone Duo by him, could cost as much as Rs 2,49,900 in India. If true, then this phone will become Apple's most expensive ever iPhone.

It will also be far more expensive than Samsung’s recently-launched foldable phones. As per the reports, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 starts from Rs 1,79,999 in India, and its larger variant, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra costs Rs 1,99,999. Apple's foldable phone would thus cost several thousands more than Samsung's phones.

For the consumers looking for an affordable yet foldable phone, Samsung's Fold series could still be a better choice. In this regard, Apple's approach seems to be aimed at the current iPhone users who have no problem paying more for a foldable iPhone.

iPhone Duo Could Feature a Large Foldable Display

Previous findings indicate that the foldable iPhone from Apple could be designed in a book-like manner as the Galaxy Z Fold range from Samsung. This smartphone is expected to be outfitted with a large OLED display of about 7.6 to 7.8 inches and a secondary smaller display of about 5.3 to 5.5 inches.

Both these screens are likely to offer a refresh rate of 120Hz with ProMotion technology developed by Apple. Such a design will enable the device to operate as a regular phone with a smaller screen closed and provide a larger screen for usage when opened.

However, Apple entering this particular niche could give rise to its own version of durability, software optimisation and multitasking. Nevertheless, the initial generation of foldable smartphones from the tech giant will still be a premium device and not aimed at mass market.

Memory Shortage Could Influence Apple’s Strategy

The reported pricing may also be connected to the wider memory shortage affecting the smartphone industry. Rising component costs could be encouraging Apple to focus on higher-margin premium devices during its September launch.

If the latest leak is accurate, the iPhone Duo would give Apple an opportunity to enter the foldable market at an extremely premium price, while the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could continue serving customers who want Apple's newest hardware without making the jump to a foldable.

The Pro Max, in particular, could become the safer choice for consumers who want the latest iPhone experience but aren't willing to spend close to Rs 2.5 lakh.

Apple is rumored to launch the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone during its September 9 event. However, the standard iPhone 18 and the next generation iPhone Air are rumored to launch later than that.

The foldable may even be launched later than the Pro variants due to the issue of supply. This will not be surprising for a first-generation foldable smartphone from Apple, especially when the company may have encountered difficulties with the manufacturing process of the brand new foldable format.

At present, these are all leaks and not to be taken as official figures. However, if the leaked Rs 2,49,900 is the actual starting price of the iPhone Duo, then Apple's first foldable will definitely place itself in one of the highest-end smartphone markets in India.