New Delhi: Apple’s standard iPhone 18 could arrive in India in the first half of 2027, with its expected price potentially approaching Rs 1 lakh. Although Apple has not announced the phone’s official price or launch date, recent price increases across its product lineup have raised questions about how much buyers may have to pay for the next standard iPhone.

The iPhone 18 is expected to launch in around six months. The report suggests that Apple could price the device at approximately Rs 99,900 in India, although this remains an estimate rather than a confirmed figure.

The pricing decision will be important for Apple as the company faces rising component costs and questions about consumer demand for increasingly expensive smartphones.

iPhone 18 price in India: What to expect

The iPhone 17 launched in India at Rs 79,900, but its official price has since increased to Rs 99,900, according to the report. That Rs 20,000 difference has changed the pricing context for the upcoming standard model.

If Apple continues selling the iPhone 17 at close to Rs 1 lakh, it may have limited room to increase the iPhone 18’s price without pushing the standard model into a higher price bracket.

The report estimates that Apple could launch the iPhone 18 at around Rs 99,900 or slightly below that amount to keep it attractive to buyers. However, the final price will depend on the company’s pricing strategy and the cost of components used in the phone.

Apple has not officially confirmed the iPhone 18’s India price. Buyers should therefore treat the reported figure as an early projection, not a final retail price.

Rising component costs could influence pricing

Component costs are among the factors that could affect the iPhone 18’s price. Apple has faced increasing expenses associated with smartphone components, making it more difficult to absorb cost increases without changing retail prices.

The report also notes that the iPhone 18 Pro models have reportedly become more expensive, with price increases of around Rs 30,000. This has added to speculation that the standard iPhone 18 could also cost more than earlier models.

At the same time, Apple must consider whether higher prices could discourage consumers from upgrading their devices.

The report cites a Nikkei Asia report stating that Apple asked suppliers to reduce production of components for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by up to 15 per cent amid weaker demand. The effect of that reported development on the standard iPhone 18’s pricing remains unclear.

iPhone 18 features: A20 chip and improved efficiency

The iPhone 18 is expected to focus on internal hardware upgrades rather than a major external redesign.

One of the anticipated changes is Apple’s A20 processor, reportedly based on a 2-nanometre manufacturing process. This would be a move from the 3-nanometre process associated with the A19 series.

The newer manufacturing process could improve processing performance and power efficiency, potentially helping the phone deliver better battery life. However, Apple has not confirmed the chip’s specifications or the extent of any performance improvements.

The standard iPhone 18 is also tipped to retain a 6.3-inch display, suggesting that the overall form factor may remain familiar to users of the current generation.

RAM specifications remain uncertain

Reports differ over how much RAM Apple could include in the iPhone 18.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reportedly expects the device to feature 9GB of RAM, while analyst Jeff Pu has been linked to a prediction of 12GB.

The difference could matter for Apple Intelligence features that rely on processing directly on the device. According to the report, certain anticipated Siri voice customisation and speech-to-text dictation improvements may require at least 12GB of RAM.

Until Apple reveals the official specifications, it remains uncertain which memory configuration the standard iPhone 18 will use and which AI features will be supported.

Brighter display and smaller Dynamic Island tipped

Apple is also reportedly working on a brighter display for the iPhone 18. However, one supplier has allegedly faced difficulties meeting the company’s brightness requirements, and the final display specifications are not yet known.

Another possible change is a smaller Dynamic Island, similar to the design rumoured for the iPhone 18 Pro models. If introduced, this could reduce the visible space occupied by the display cut-out.

The change remains unconfirmed, and there is no official information on whether the standard model will receive the same design adjustment as the Pro lineup.

Apple’s C2 modem could bring connectivity changes

Connectivity is another area where the iPhone 18 could receive an upgrade. The device is expected to use Apple’s C2 modem, which is also tipped to appear in other upcoming iPhone models.

Details about the modem’s real-world performance and the improvements it could bring have not yet been established.

Taken together, the reported changes suggest that Apple may prioritise processing power, power efficiency, display improvements and AI-related capabilities rather than a complete redesign.

Should buyers expect a phone under Rs 1 lakh?

The iPhone 18 could remain close to the Rs 1 lakh mark if Apple follows the pricing estimate in the report. However, the company may also consider a slightly lower price to maintain the standard model’s appeal.

For prospective buyers, the key details to watch are the official India price, the final processor and RAM specifications, and the launch timeline.

Apple has not confirmed these details. The reported launch window, features and price should therefore be treated as rumours and estimates until the company makes an official announcement.