iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost over 2.3 million won, up 300,000 won from predecessor

"Smartphone prices are as high as laptops — how can anyone just swap them out?" said one consumer.

Apple's next flagship smartphone, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, could become the most expensive iPhone ever, with its price expected to exceed 2.3 million won ($1,490) — a record increase of around 300,000 won over its predecessor. Analysts say surging memory chip and storage prices, driven by rapid AI data center investment, have made it increasingly difficult for Apple to avoid passing on higher costs.

Global market research firm IDC said Sunday that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could cost up to $200 more than current models.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 in the United States. Adding a $200 increase would push the iPhone 18 Pro Max's starting price to $1,399, which translates to roughly 2.32 million won at current domestic pricing levels.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's domestic retail price of 1.99 million won against its $1,199 US price implies an exchange rate of roughly 1,660 won per dollar. Applying the same rate to $1,399 yields approximately 2.32 million won. The actual domestic retail price will depend on exchange rates, taxes and retail policy, but if the increase materializes, the price is likely to break past the low-2-million-won range.

The core driver of the price pressure is an AI-induced shortage of memory chips. Surging investment in AI servers has sharply increased demand for key components including DRAM and NAND flash, pushing up memory and storage prices across smartphones, PCs and tablets. Apple has historically kept price increases to a minimum even on premium products, but analysts say it has become harder for the company to absorb rising component costs on its own.

Apple's recent price increases on some Mac and iPad products have added to expectations of an adjustment for the next iPhone lineup. While iPhones were excluded from that round of increases, the Pro and Pro Max models incorporate higher-performance mobile DRAM, large-capacity storage, next-generation application processors and on-device AI features, making them the most exposed to rising component costs.

Samsung Electronics also raised prices on its Galaxy S series in the first half of this year compared with the previous generation. Analysts say the company's upcoming second-half foldable lineup will similarly struggle to hold the line on retail prices, given the need for high-performance components and enhanced AI capabilities.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to feature Apple's A20 Pro chip, manufactured on TSMC's 2-nanometer process, along with an upgraded camera system and enhanced AI functions.