Memory Cost Crisis & iPhone 18 Pricing Risk

Apple confirmed a $100 increase to iPhone 18 Pro starting prices, while sharply higher DRAM, HBM, and NAND costs may still outpace pricing benefits. Carrier trade-in credits of up to $1,200 could soften consumer impact, but mixed preorder and shipping reports remain inconclusive; October preorders and December-quarter results will test demand elasticity, availability, cost pass-through, and margin resilience.