Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 series could see a $100 price hike compared to the current lineup, according to industry estimates. The increase is largely being blamed on a global shortage of key components—particularly memory chips—driven in part by massive investments in data centers built to power artificial intelligence systems. That surge in demand has made critical parts scarcer and more expensive for smartphone makers, and Apple appears set to pass at least some of that cost onto consumers ahead of its official product announcement.
In Colombia, retailers and tech analysts are already trying to estimate what the new pricing might look like in pesos. Those projections factor in the current exchange rate, Colombia’s 19% value-added tax (IVA), import tariffs, and the pricing structure used for last year’s iPhone 17 launch. For reference, the iPhone 17 Pro debuted in Colombia starting at 6,449,000 pesos (roughly $1,600 USD) for the 256 GB model, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max started at 6,999,000 pesos (about $1,740 USD).
If the rumored $100 global increase holds true, Colombian buyers could see even steeper price jumps once local taxes and currency conversion are applied. Apple has not yet confirmed pricing or a release date for the iPhone 18 lineup.
For more details and the full breakdown of projected costs, check out the original report from El Tiempo.
Source: Precio del iPhone 18 subirá 100 dólares: ¿en cuánto llegarían a Colombia los nuevos teléfonos de Apple? (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Prepayasyougo, BY-ND 2.0 (via Openverse).