Rising component costs for 2nm chips, DRAM, and NAND memory—driven by AI infrastructure demand and supply constraints—are the main catalyst pushing trader expectations toward a higher starting price for the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly noted that price increases are unavoidable, with Wall Street Journal analysis pointing to a potential $1,299 launch price, up roughly $200 from the iPhone 17 Pro. Analysts cite bill-of-materials jumps of $150–$300 per unit, though Apple may offset some pressure through cost-cutting, higher storage tiers, or competitive positioning against Android rivals. The September 2026 announcement remains the key near-term event that could resolve or shift sentiment based on confirmed pricing and features.