Apple is trying to reduce the price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple is reportedly trying to reduce the production cost of OLED panels for its upcoming iPhones as memory chips and other components continue to become more expensive.
According to The Elec, Apple initially planned to pay around $70 per OLED panel, but it is now expected to pay a lower price. Industry estimates suggest that Samsung Display and LG Display will supply the OLED panels for about $66.50 each, which is nearly 20% cheaper than the OLED panels used in the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The cost of OLED panels for iPhones has gradually decreased with every new generation. However, this year's price drop is especially significant because the manufacturing process for the iPhone 18 OLED panels is more advanced and complex.
Apple will use Samsung Display's latest M16 OLED material, which offers better brightness, longer lifespan, and improved colour accuracy. It is also expected to be one of the best display technologies for premium and future foldable smartphones.
Apple is not the only company trying to reduce costs. Many smartphone manufacturers are also lowering the prices of display panels, camera modules, and other components to offset the rising cost of memory.
According to market research firm UBI Research, Samsung Display is expected to supply 46 million OLED panels for the iPhone 18 lineup this year. This includes: - 2 million panels for the standard iPhone 18, 18 million panels for the iPhone 18 Pro and 26 million panels for the iPhone 18 Pro Max
Meanwhile, LG Display is expected to supply 41 million OLED panels, including:- 1 million panels for the standard iPhone 18, 19 million panels for the iPhone 18 Pro and 21 million panels for the iPhone 18 Pro Max
Analysts predict that the starting prices of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be around $1,299 and $1,399, respectively. This would represent an increase of about $200 compared to the previous generation, mainly due to rising memory and storage costs.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max alongside its first foldable iPhone in September. The standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are expected to launch in early 2026.
However, some reports suggest the price could be even higher. According to the Weibo account Smart Pikachu, the starting price of the iPhone 18 Pro Max in China could be around $1,625, making it the most expensive non-foldable iPhone ever released before Apple's foldable iPhone arrives.
